Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Atlantic City vs Clifton: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Clifton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$310,245
$149.15/hr
Clifton, NJ
$281,416
$135.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJClifton, NJ
Median Salary$310,245$281,416
Hourly Rate$149.15$135.30
Entry Level (P10)$243,896$193,076
25th Percentile$246,494$250,099
75th Percentile$318,567$342,245
Top Earner (P90)$318,609$416,770
Total Employed14014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($310,245) and Clifton ($281,416) nurse anesthetist salaries.Atlantic CityCliftonMedian Salary$310,245$281,416Entry Level (P10)$243,896$193,076Top Earner (P90)$318,609$416,770US Median $248,893

Verdict

Atlantic City, NJ offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Clifton.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Clifton is $28,829 (10.24%). Atlantic City's median is +24.65% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $74,713,Clifton spans $223,694. Clifton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$243,896
P25$246,494
Median$310,245
P75$318,567
P90 (Top)$318,609
Clifton
P10 (Entry)$193,076
P25$250,099
Median$281,416
P75$342,245
P90 (Top)$416,770

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($313,832 effective) pays 28.47% more than Clifton ($244,285 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $310,245
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $313,832
Clifton
Nominal: $281,416
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $244,285

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Higher median salary ($310,245/year)
  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $313,832)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Clifton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($416,770)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Atlantic City grew 6.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -5.4% growth in Clifton over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+6.1%

$278,053 (2024) → $294,910 (2025)

Clifton, NJ

+-5.4%

$282,668 (2024) → $267,506 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Atlantic City or Clifton?

Atlantic City has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $310,245/year, compared to Clifton at $281,416/year — a difference of $28,829 (10.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Clifton?

Atlantic City nurse anesthetists earn $149.15/hr while Clifton hygienists earn $135.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Clifton as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Clifton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $313,832, Clifton = $244,285), job availability (140 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Atlantic City vs Clifton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $243,896 in Atlantic City and $193,076 in Clifton. The Atlantic City 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