Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Birmingham vs Gadsden: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Birmingham, AL
$184,994
$88.94/hr
Gadsden, AL
$195,629
$94.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALGadsden, AL
Median Salary$184,994$195,629
Hourly Rate$88.94$94.05
Entry Level (P10)$106,725$140,305
25th Percentile$106,725$177,957
75th Percentile$222,477$243,049
Top Earner (P90)$248,125$276,384
Total Employed7507
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($184,994) and Gadsden ($195,629) nurse anesthetist salaries.BirminghamGadsdenMedian Salary$184,994$195,629Entry Level (P10)$106,725$140,305Top Earner (P90)$248,125$276,384US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Birmingham and Gadsden is $10,635 (5.75%). Gadsden's median is -21.40% 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,Gadsden spans $136,079. 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
Gadsden
P10 (Entry)$140,305
P25$177,957
Median$195,629
P75$243,049
P90 (Top)$276,384

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gadsden ($222,559 effective) pays 10.25% more than Birmingham ($201,862 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $184,994
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $201,862
Gadsden
Nominal: $195,629
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $222,559

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 Gadsden if…

  • Higher median salary ($195,629/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($276,384)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $222,559)
  • 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 10.4% growth in Gadsden over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+4.7%

$167,900 (2019) → $175,850 (2025)

Gadsden, AL

+10.4%

$168,382 (2024) → $185,959 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Birmingham or Gadsden?

Gadsden has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $195,629/year, compared to Birmingham at $184,994/year — a difference of $10,635 (5.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Gadsden?

Birmingham nurse anesthetists earn $88.94/hr while Gadsden hygienists earn $94.05/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Gadsden. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $201,862, Gadsden = $222,559), job availability (750 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $106,725 in Birmingham and $140,305 in Gadsden. The Gadsden 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