Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Amherst vs Boston: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Amherst, MA and Boston, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Amherst, MA
$267,594
$128.65/hr
Boston, MA
$290,777
$139.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAmherst, MABoston, MA
Median Salary$267,594$290,777
Hourly Rate$128.65$139.80
Entry Level (P10)$172,463$192,479
25th Percentile$245,352$254,098
75th Percentile$324,286$364,364
Top Earner (P90)$364,642$444,446
Total Employed6174
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Amherst ($267,594) and Boston ($290,777) nurse anesthetist salaries.AmherstBostonMedian Salary$267,594$290,777Entry Level (P10)$172,463$192,479Top Earner (P90)$364,642$444,446US Median $248,893

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Amherst.

The salary gap between Amherst and Boston is $23,183 (8.66%). Boston's median is +16.83% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Amherst spans $192,179,Boston spans $251,967. Boston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Amherst
P10 (Entry)$172,463
P25$245,352
Median$267,594
P75$324,286
P90 (Top)$364,642
Boston
P10 (Entry)$192,479
P25$254,098
Median$290,777
P75$364,364
P90 (Top)$444,446

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($267,997 effective) pays 8.66% more than Amherst ($246,630 effective).

Amherst
Nominal: $267,594
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $246,630
Boston
Nominal: $290,777
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $267,997

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Amherst if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($290,777/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($444,446)
  • Larger job market (174 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $267,997)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Amherst grew 0.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 41.9% growth in Boston over the same period.

Amherst, MA

+0.7%

$252,658 (2024) → $254,367 (2025)

Boston, MA

+41.9%

$194,720 (2019) → $276,404 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Amherst or Boston?

Boston has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $290,777/year, compared to Amherst at $267,594/year — a difference of $23,183 (8.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Amherst and Boston?

Amherst nurse anesthetists earn $128.65/hr while Boston hygienists earn $139.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Amherst to Boston as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Amherst and Boston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Amherst = $246,630, Boston = $267,997), job availability (6 vs 174 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Amherst vs Boston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $172,463 in Amherst and $192,479 in Boston. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.
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