Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Bellevue vs Seattle: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Bellevue, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bellevue, WA
$291,487
$140.14/hr
Seattle, WA
$288,658
$138.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBellevue, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$291,487$288,658
Hourly Rate$140.14$138.78
Entry Level (P10)$180,445$238,194
25th Percentile$245,554$240,203
75th Percentile$364,520$314,832
Top Earner (P90)$440,413$407,366
Total Employed26420
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bellevue ($291,487) and Seattle ($288,658) nurse anesthetist salaries.BellevueSeattleMedian Salary$291,487$288,658Entry Level (P10)$180,445$238,194Top Earner (P90)$440,413$407,366US Median $248,893

Verdict

Bellevue, WA offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Seattle.

The salary gap between Bellevue and Seattle is $2,829 (0.98%). Bellevue's median is +17.11% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bellevue spans $259,968,Seattle spans $169,172. Bellevue has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bellevue
P10 (Entry)$180,445
P25$245,554
Median$291,487
P75$364,520
P90 (Top)$440,413
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$238,194
P25$240,203
Median$288,658
P75$314,832
P90 (Top)$407,366

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bellevue ($271,403 effective) pays 4.49% more than Seattle ($259,741 effective).

Bellevue
Nominal: $291,487
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $271,403
Seattle
Nominal: $288,658
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $259,741

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bellevue if…

  • Higher median salary ($291,487/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($440,413)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $271,403)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Larger job market (420 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Bellevue grew 3.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 45.1% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Bellevue, WA

+3.2%

$268,366 (2024) → $277,079 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+45.1%

$189,100 (2019) → $274,390 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Bellevue or Seattle?

Bellevue has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $291,487/year, compared to Seattle at $288,658/year — a difference of $2,829 (0.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bellevue and Seattle?

Bellevue nurse anesthetists earn $140.14/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $138.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bellevue to Seattle as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bellevue and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bellevue = $271,403, Seattle = $259,741), job availability (26 vs 420 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Bellevue vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $180,445 in Bellevue and $238,194 in Seattle. The Seattle 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