Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Bowling Green vs Louisville: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Bowling Green, KY and Louisville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bowling Green, KY
$220,294
$105.92/hr
Louisville, KY
$242,318
$116.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBowling Green, KYLouisville, KY
Median Salary$220,294$242,318
Hourly Rate$105.92$116.50
Entry Level (P10)$136,958$146,311
25th Percentile$198,360$201,105
75th Percentile$278,887$307,550
Top Earner (P90)$322,513$359,914
Total Employed13132
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bowling Green ($220,294) and Louisville ($242,318) nurse anesthetist salaries.Bowling GreenLouisvilleMedian Salary$220,294$242,318Entry Level (P10)$136,958$146,311Top Earner (P90)$322,513$359,914US Median $248,893

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bowling Green.

The salary gap between Bowling Green and Louisville is $22,024 (10.00%). Louisville's median is -2.64% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bowling Green spans $185,555,Louisville spans $213,603. Louisville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Bowling Green
P10 (Entry)$136,958
P25$198,360
Median$220,294
P75$278,887
P90 (Top)$322,513
Louisville
P10 (Entry)$146,311
P25$201,105
Median$242,318
P75$307,550
P90 (Top)$359,914

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($271,353 effective) pays 10.00% more than Bowling Green ($246,690 effective).

Bowling Green
Nominal: $220,294
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $246,690
Louisville
Nominal: $242,318
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $271,353

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bowling Green if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($242,318/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($359,914)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $271,353)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Bowling Green grew 13.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.7% growth in Louisville over the same period.

Bowling Green, KY

+13.7%

$184,100 (2024) → $209,405 (2025)

Louisville, KY

+13.7%

$202,505 (2024) → $230,340 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Bowling Green or Louisville?

Louisville has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $242,318/year, compared to Bowling Green at $220,294/year — a difference of $22,024 (10.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bowling Green and Louisville?

Bowling Green nurse anesthetists earn $105.92/hr while Louisville hygienists earn $116.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bowling Green to Louisville as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bowling Green and Louisville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bowling Green = $246,690, Louisville = $271,353), job availability (13 vs 132 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Bowling Green vs Louisville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $136,958 in Bowling Green and $146,311 in Louisville. The Louisville 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