Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Birmingham vs Dothan: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Birmingham, AL and Dothan, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$184,994
$88.94/hr
Dothan, AL
$197,755
$95.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALDothan, AL
Median Salary$184,994$197,755
Hourly Rate$88.94$95.07
Entry Level (P10)$106,725$176,115
25th Percentile$106,725$190,759
75th Percentile$222,477$231,324
Top Earner (P90)$248,125$284,271
Total Employed75090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($184,994) and Dothan ($197,755) nurse anesthetist salaries.BirminghamDothanMedian Salary$184,994$197,755Entry Level (P10)$106,725$176,115Top Earner (P90)$248,125$284,271US Median $248,893

Verdict

Dothan, AL offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Birmingham.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Dothan is $12,761 (6.90%). Dothan's median is -20.55% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $141,400,Dothan spans $108,156. Birmingham has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$106,725
P25$106,725
Median$184,994
P75$222,477
P90 (Top)$248,125
Dothan
P10 (Entry)$176,115
P25$190,759
Median$197,755
P75$231,324
P90 (Top)$284,271

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dothan ($235,892 effective) pays 16.86% more than Birmingham ($201,862 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $184,994
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $201,862
Dothan
Nominal: $197,755
CoL Index: 83.833
Adjusted: $235,892

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Larger job market (750 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Dothan if…

  • Higher median salary ($197,755/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($284,271)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $235,892)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Birmingham grew 4.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.6% growth in Dothan over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+4.7%

$167,900 (2019) → $175,850 (2025)

Dothan, AL

+14.6%

$163,990 (2019) → $187,980 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Birmingham or Dothan?

Dothan has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $197,755/year, compared to Birmingham at $184,994/year — a difference of $12,761 (6.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Dothan?

Birmingham nurse anesthetists earn $88.94/hr while Dothan hygienists earn $95.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Dothan as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Dothan. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $201,862, Dothan = $235,892), job availability (750 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Birmingham vs Dothan?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $106,725 in Birmingham and $176,115 in Dothan. The Dothan area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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