Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Augusta vs Lewiston: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, ME
$233,760
$112.39/hr
Lewiston, ME
$260,338
$125.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, MELewiston, ME
Median Salary$233,760$260,338
Hourly Rate$112.39$125.17
Entry Level (P10)$168,038$247,998
25th Percentile$212,399$247,998
75th Percentile$287,462$312,234
Top Earner (P90)$322,573$377,889
Total Employed460
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($233,760) and Lewiston ($260,338) nurse anesthetist salaries.AugustaLewistonMedian Salary$233,760$260,338Entry Level (P10)$168,038$247,998Top Earner (P90)$322,573$377,889US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Augusta and Lewiston is $26,578 (11.37%). Lewiston's median is +4.60% 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,Lewiston spans $129,891. 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
Lewiston
P10 (Entry)$247,998
P25$247,998
Median$260,338
P75$312,234
P90 (Top)$377,889

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lewiston ($274,804 effective) pays 17.09% more than Augusta ($234,699 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $233,760
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $234,699
Lewiston
Nominal: $260,338
CoL Index: 94.736
Adjusted: $274,804

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose Lewiston if…

  • Higher median salary ($260,338/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($377,889)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $274,804)
  • 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 46.0% growth in Lewiston over the same period.

Augusta, ME

+12.7%

$197,232 (2024) → $222,205 (2025)

Lewiston, ME

+46.0%

$169,530 (2019) → $247,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Augusta or Lewiston?

Lewiston has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $260,338/year, compared to Augusta at $233,760/year — a difference of $26,578 (11.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Lewiston?

Augusta nurse anesthetists earn $112.39/hr while Lewiston hygienists earn $125.17/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Lewiston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $234,699, Lewiston = $274,804), job availability (4 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $168,038 in Augusta and $247,998 in Lewiston. The Lewiston 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