Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Anniston vs Huntsville: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Anniston, AL and Huntsville, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Anniston, AL
$194,551
$93.53/hr
Huntsville, AL
$224,697
$108.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnniston, ALHuntsville, AL
Median Salary$194,551$224,697
Hourly Rate$93.53$108.03
Entry Level (P10)$136,091$187,309
25th Percentile$174,038$218,279
75th Percentile$232,546$224,697
Top Earner (P90)$257,640$236,921
Total Employed4280
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Anniston ($194,551) and Huntsville ($224,697) nurse anesthetist salaries.AnnistonHuntsvilleMedian Salary$194,551$224,697Entry Level (P10)$136,091$187,309Top Earner (P90)$257,640$236,921US Median $248,893

Verdict

Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Anniston.

The salary gap between Anniston and Huntsville is $30,146 (15.50%). Huntsville's median is -9.72% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Anniston spans $121,549,Huntsville spans $49,612. Anniston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Anniston
P10 (Entry)$136,091
P25$174,038
Median$194,551
P75$232,546
P90 (Top)$257,640
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$187,309
P25$218,279
Median$224,697
P75$224,697
P90 (Top)$236,921

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntsville ($241,423 effective) pays 9.08% more than Anniston ($221,332 effective).

Anniston
Nominal: $194,551
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $221,332
Huntsville
Nominal: $224,697
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $241,423

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Anniston if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($257,640)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($224,697/year)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $241,423)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Anniston grew 10.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 36.5% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Anniston, AL

+10.4%

$167,454 (2024) → $184,934 (2025)

Huntsville, AL

+36.5%

$156,430 (2019) → $213,590 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Anniston or Huntsville?

Huntsville has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $224,697/year, compared to Anniston at $194,551/year — a difference of $30,146 (15.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Anniston and Huntsville?

Anniston nurse anesthetists earn $93.53/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $108.03/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Anniston to Huntsville as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Anniston and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Anniston = $221,332, Huntsville = $241,423), job availability (4 vs 280 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Anniston vs Huntsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $136,091 in Anniston and $187,309 in Huntsville. The Huntsville 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