Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Augusta vs Bangor: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Augusta, ME and Bangor, ME. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, ME
$233,760
$112.39/hr
Bangor, ME
$251,428
$120.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, MEBangor, ME
Median Salary$233,760$251,428
Hourly Rate$112.39$120.89
Entry Level (P10)$168,038$231,408
25th Percentile$212,399$251,428
75th Percentile$287,462$283,893
Top Earner (P90)$322,573$288,627
Total Employed480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($233,760) and Bangor ($251,428) nurse anesthetist salaries.AugustaBangorMedian Salary$233,760$251,428Entry Level (P10)$168,038$231,408Top Earner (P90)$322,573$288,627US Median $248,893

Verdict

Bangor, ME offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Augusta.

The salary gap between Augusta and Bangor is $17,668 (7.56%). Bangor's median is +1.02% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $154,535,Bangor spans $57,219. Augusta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$168,038
P25$212,399
Median$233,760
P75$287,462
P90 (Top)$322,573
Bangor
P10 (Entry)$231,408
P25$251,428
Median$251,428
P75$283,893
P90 (Top)$288,627

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bangor ($260,526 effective) pays 11.00% more than Augusta ($234,699 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $233,760
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $234,699
Bangor
Nominal: $251,428
CoL Index: 96.508
Adjusted: $260,526

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($322,573)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose Bangor if…

  • Higher median salary ($251,428/year)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $260,526)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Augusta grew 12.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.8% growth in Bangor over the same period.

Augusta, ME

+12.7%

$197,232 (2024) → $222,205 (2025)

Bangor, ME

+29.8%

$184,180 (2022) → $239,000 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Augusta or Bangor?

Bangor has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $251,428/year, compared to Augusta at $233,760/year — a difference of $17,668 (7.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Bangor?

Augusta nurse anesthetists earn $112.39/hr while Bangor hygienists earn $120.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Bangor as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Bangor. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $234,699, Bangor = $260,526), job availability (4 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Augusta vs Bangor?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $168,038 in Augusta and $231,408 in Bangor. The Bangor 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