Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Alpharetta vs Atlanta: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Alpharetta, GA and Atlanta, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alpharetta, GA
$234,072
$112.53/hr
Atlanta, GA
$251,491
$120.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlpharetta, GAAtlanta, GA
Median Salary$234,072$251,491
Hourly Rate$112.53$120.91
Entry Level (P10)$152,474$151,572
25th Percentile$202,114$228,442
75th Percentile$287,858$313,791
Top Earner (P90)$327,666$319,703
Total Employed13470
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alpharetta ($234,072) and Atlanta ($251,491) nurse anesthetist salaries.AlpharettaAtlantaMedian Salary$234,072$251,491Entry Level (P10)$152,474$151,572Top Earner (P90)$327,666$319,703US Median $248,893

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Alpharetta.

The salary gap between Alpharetta and Atlanta is $17,419 (7.44%). Atlanta's median is +1.04% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alpharetta spans $175,192,Atlanta spans $168,131. Alpharetta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Alpharetta
P10 (Entry)$152,474
P25$202,114
Median$234,072
P75$287,858
P90 (Top)$327,666
Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$151,572
P25$228,442
Median$251,491
P75$313,791
P90 (Top)$319,703

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Alpharetta ($251,420 effective) pays 0.03% more than Atlanta ($251,345 effective).

Alpharetta
Nominal: $234,072
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $251,420
Atlanta
Nominal: $251,491
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $251,345

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alpharetta if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($327,666)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $251,420)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($251,491/year)
  • Larger job market (470 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Alpharetta grew 12.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 47.8% growth in Atlanta over the same period.

Alpharetta, GA

+12.7%

$197,496 (2024) → $222,502 (2025)

Atlanta, GA

+47.8%

$161,730 (2019) → $239,060 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Alpharetta or Atlanta?

Atlanta has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $251,491/year, compared to Alpharetta at $234,072/year — a difference of $17,419 (7.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alpharetta and Atlanta?

Alpharetta nurse anesthetists earn $112.53/hr while Atlanta hygienists earn $120.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alpharetta to Atlanta as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alpharetta and Atlanta. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alpharetta = $251,420, Atlanta = $251,345), job availability (13 vs 470 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Alpharetta vs Atlanta?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $152,474 in Alpharetta and $151,572 in Atlanta. The Alpharetta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AJ

Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA

Career Analyst

Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Lee, DNP, CRNAData verified by Fatima Ahmad, MSN, CRNA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.20% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov