Anesthesiologist Salary in Pasadena, CA: $466,261 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time anesthesiologist in Pasadena, CA earns a median $466,261/year (≈ $224.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Once you factor in Pasadena's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $412,256 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Pasadena, California, the anesthesiologist salary landscape is marked by a median annual income of $466,261 in 2026, significantly above the national median of $409,107. Salaries for anesthesiologists in this region range from $270,431 at the 10th percentile to $686,129 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying demands of call responsibilities and practice settings. These figures are derived from state-level data and account for local cost adjustments. Factors such as case volume, partnership structures, and subspecialty qualifications further influence these compensation levels, highlighting Pasadena's competitive job market for anesthesiologists as healthcare providers seek to balance remuneration with workload.
About the Pasadena Market
Salary estimated from California average ($450,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $270,431 | $130.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $335,708 | $161.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $466,261 | $224.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $596,814 | $286.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $686,129 | $329.86 |
Median Salary Position
13.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pasadena
In Pasadena, CA, the anesthesiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $415,698 (2026 est.). At $466,261, the local median is 13.97% above the national median of $409,107.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pasadena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pasadena Anesthesiologist Pay Compares
Pasadena median: $466,261/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pasadena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $462,561 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $409,107 | +13.97% more |
Anesthesiologists in Pasadena, CA earn a median of $466,261 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.97% higher than the national median of $409,107 and 0.80% above the California state average of $462,561.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pasadena has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pasadena, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $466,261 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $412,256 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$342,622
2025 BLS Actual
$446,183
2026 Current Est.
$466,261
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Pasadena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $342,622 | Actual |
| 2020 | $358,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $374,152 | Actual |
| 2022 | $390,989 | Actual |
| 2023 | $408,583 | Actual |
| 2024 | $512,867 | Actual |
| 2025 | $446,183 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $466,261 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $487,243 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pasadena metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $342,622 (2019) to $446,183 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $487,243 by 2027 — a total increase of $144,621 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pasadena metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $270,431 – $335,708 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $335,708 – $466,261 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $466,261 – $596,814 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $596,814 – $686,129 |
ANES salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual anesthesiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Anesthesiologist Job Market in Pasadena
With 35 anesthesiologists currently employed in the area, Pasadena's job market demonstrates robust opportunities in various healthcare settings. However, the local cost of living, indicated by a cost-of-living index of 113.1, impacts purchasing power considerably. Higher-paying positions are typically found within hospital systems and private anesthesia group practices, especially those offering partnership tracks. The disparity in salary arises from variations in call burden systems, such as Q3 vs. Q5 shifts, as well as RVU bonuses for hospital-employed anesthesiologists. Aspiring anesthesiologists can maximize their pay in Pasadena by pursuing subspecialty fellowships, considering roles that offer equity in practice, and exploring both employed and independent contractor paths to assess the best fit for their career and financial goals.
More salary data for Pasadena, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can anesthesiologists make $100K in Pasadena?
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Written by Dr. Maria Chen, MD
Career Analyst
Dr. Chen has over 10 years of experience in anesthesiology. She specializes in perioperative care at a major metropolitan hospital.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $446,183 for anesthesiologistsin the Pasadena metropolitan area. A 4.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pasadena is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for anesthesiologists (SOC 29-1211).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Maria Chen, MD, a licensed anesthesiologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov