Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Bedford vs Salem: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Bedford, NH and Salem, NH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bedford, NH
$251,530
$120.93/hr
Salem, NH
$260,614
$125.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBedford, NHSalem, NH
Median Salary$251,530$260,614
Hourly Rate$120.93$125.29
Entry Level (P10)$165,605$168,859
25th Percentile$233,851$223,990
75th Percentile$308,964$316,862
Top Earner (P90)$346,527$355,858
Total Employed68
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bedford ($251,530) and Salem ($260,614) nurse anesthetist salaries.BedfordSalemMedian Salary$251,530$260,614Entry Level (P10)$165,605$168,859Top Earner (P90)$346,527$355,858US Median $248,893

Verdict

Salem, NH offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bedford.

The salary gap between Bedford and Salem is $9,084 (3.61%). Salem's median is +4.71% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bedford spans $180,922,Salem spans $186,999. Salem has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Bedford
P10 (Entry)$165,605
P25$233,851
Median$251,530
P75$308,964
P90 (Top)$346,527
Salem
P10 (Entry)$168,859
P25$223,990
Median$260,614
P75$316,862
P90 (Top)$355,858

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salem ($242,884 effective) pays 3.61% more than Bedford ($234,418 effective).

Bedford
Nominal: $251,530
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $234,418
Salem
Nominal: $260,614
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $242,884

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bedford if…

  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Choose Salem if…

  • Higher median salary ($260,614/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($355,858)
  • Larger job market (8 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $242,884)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Bedford grew 2.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.9% growth in Salem over the same period.

Bedford, NH

+2.9%

$232,437 (2024) → $239,097 (2025)

Salem, NH

+2.9%

$240,832 (2024) → $247,732 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Bedford or Salem?

Salem has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $260,614/year, compared to Bedford at $251,530/year — a difference of $9,084 (3.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bedford and Salem?

Bedford nurse anesthetists earn $120.93/hr while Salem hygienists earn $125.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bedford to Salem as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bedford and Salem. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bedford = $234,418, Salem = $242,884), job availability (6 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Bedford vs Salem?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $165,605 in Bedford and $168,859 in Salem. The Salem 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