Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Arlington vs Austin: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Arlington, TX and Austin, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Arlington, TX
$225,373
$108.36/hr
Austin, TX
$257,729
$123.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricArlington, TXAustin, TX
Median Salary$225,373$257,729
Hourly Rate$108.36$123.90
Entry Level (P10)$137,015$225,559
25th Percentile$187,591$225,559
75th Percentile$286,444$453,959
Top Earner (P90)$336,337$453,959
Total Employed83480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Arlington ($225,373) and Austin ($257,729) nurse anesthetist salaries.ArlingtonAustinMedian Salary$225,373$257,729Entry Level (P10)$137,015$225,559Top Earner (P90)$336,337$453,959US Median $248,893

Verdict

Austin, TX offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Arlington.

The salary gap between Arlington and Austin is $32,356 (14.36%). Austin's median is +3.55% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Arlington spans $199,322,Austin spans $228,400. Austin has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Arlington
P10 (Entry)$137,015
P25$187,591
Median$225,373
P75$286,444
P90 (Top)$336,337
Austin
P10 (Entry)$225,559
P25$225,559
Median$257,729
P75$453,959
P90 (Top)$453,959

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($262,812 effective) pays 11.95% more than Arlington ($234,764 effective).

Arlington
Nominal: $225,373
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $234,764
Austin
Nominal: $257,729
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $262,812

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Arlington if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Austin if…

  • Higher median salary ($257,729/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($453,959)
  • Larger job market (480 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $262,812)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Arlington grew 0.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.2% growth in Austin over the same period.

Arlington, TX

+0.9%

$212,342 (2024) → $214,233 (2025)

Austin, TX

+11.2%

$220,335 (2024) → $244,990 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Arlington or Austin?

Austin has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $257,729/year, compared to Arlington at $225,373/year — a difference of $32,356 (14.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Arlington and Austin?

Arlington nurse anesthetists earn $108.36/hr while Austin hygienists earn $123.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Arlington to Austin as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Arlington and Austin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Arlington = $234,764, Austin = $262,812), job availability (83 vs 480 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Arlington vs Austin?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $137,015 in Arlington and $225,559 in Austin. The Austin 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