Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Birmingham vs Madison: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Birmingham, AL
$184,994
$88.94/hr
Madison, AL
$197,148
$94.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALMadison, AL
Median Salary$184,994$197,148
Hourly Rate$88.94$94.79
Entry Level (P10)$106,725$133,192
25th Percentile$106,725$173,657
75th Percentile$222,477$245,723
Top Earner (P90)$248,125$282,192
Total Employed7509
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($184,994) and Madison ($197,148) nurse anesthetist salaries.BirminghamMadisonMedian Salary$184,994$197,148Entry Level (P10)$106,725$133,192Top Earner (P90)$248,125$282,192US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Birmingham and Madison is $12,154 (6.57%). Madison's median is -20.79% 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,Madison spans $149,000. Madison has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$106,725
P25$106,725
Median$184,994
P75$222,477
P90 (Top)$248,125
Madison
P10 (Entry)$133,192
P25$173,657
Median$197,148
P75$245,723
P90 (Top)$282,192

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($224,287 effective) pays 11.11% more than Birmingham ($201,862 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $184,994
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $201,862
Madison
Nominal: $197,148
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $224,287

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 Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($197,148/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($282,192)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $224,287)
  • 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 Madison over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+4.7%

$167,900 (2019) → $175,850 (2025)

Madison, AL

+10.4%

$169,689 (2024) → $187,403 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Birmingham or Madison?

Madison has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $197,148/year, compared to Birmingham at $184,994/year — a difference of $12,154 (6.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Madison?

Birmingham nurse anesthetists earn $88.94/hr while Madison hygienists earn $94.79/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Madison. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $201,862, Madison = $224,287), job availability (750 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $106,725 in Birmingham and $133,192 in Madison. The Madison 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