Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Apple Valley vs St. Paul: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Apple Valley, MN and St. Paul, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Apple Valley, MN
$237,688
$114.27/hr
St. Paul, MN
$269,285
$129.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricApple Valley, MNSt. Paul, MN
Median Salary$237,688$269,285
Hourly Rate$114.27$129.46
Entry Level (P10)$158,481$174,313
25th Percentile$207,792$233,097
75th Percentile$300,245$335,102
Top Earner (P90)$336,987$417,392
Total Employed1380
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Apple Valley ($237,688) and St. Paul ($269,285) nurse anesthetist salaries.Apple ValleySt. PaulMedian Salary$237,688$269,285Entry Level (P10)$158,481$174,313Top Earner (P90)$336,987$417,392US Median $248,893

Verdict

St. Paul, MN offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Apple Valley.

The salary gap between Apple Valley and St. Paul is $31,597 (13.29%). St. Paul's median is +8.19% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Apple Valley spans $178,506,St. Paul spans $243,079. St. Paul has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Apple Valley
P10 (Entry)$158,481
P25$207,792
Median$237,688
P75$300,245
P90 (Top)$336,987
St. Paul
P10 (Entry)$174,313
P25$233,097
Median$269,285
P75$335,102
P90 (Top)$417,392

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Paul ($273,386 effective) pays 13.29% more than Apple Valley ($241,308 effective).

Apple Valley
Nominal: $237,688
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $241,308
St. Paul
Nominal: $269,285
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $273,386

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Apple Valley if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Paul if…

  • Higher median salary ($269,285/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($417,392)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $273,386)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Apple Valley grew -1.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 4.2% growth in St. Paul over the same period.

Apple Valley, MN

+-1.4%

$229,196 (2024) → $225,939 (2025)

St. Paul, MN

+4.2%

$245,728 (2024) → $255,974 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Apple Valley or St. Paul?

St. Paul has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $269,285/year, compared to Apple Valley at $237,688/year — a difference of $31,597 (13.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Apple Valley and St. Paul?

Apple Valley nurse anesthetists earn $114.27/hr while St. Paul hygienists earn $129.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Apple Valley to St. Paul as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Apple Valley and St. Paul. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Apple Valley = $241,308, St. Paul = $273,386), job availability (13 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Apple Valley vs St. Paul?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $158,481 in Apple Valley and $174,313 in St. Paul. The St. Paul 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