Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Brownsville vs Houston: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Brownsville, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brownsville, TX
$243,821
$117.22/hr
Houston, TX
$289,626
$139.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrownsville, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$243,821$289,626
Hourly Rate$117.22$139.24
Entry Level (P10)$163,421$178,114
25th Percentile$214,113$232,324
75th Percentile$299,025$340,627
Top Earner (P90)$367,558$360,058
Total Employed34680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brownsville ($243,821) and Houston ($289,626) nurse anesthetist salaries.BrownsvilleHoustonMedian Salary$243,821$289,626Entry Level (P10)$163,421$178,114Top Earner (P90)$367,558$360,058US Median $248,893

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Brownsville.

The salary gap between Brownsville and Houston is $45,805 (18.79%). Houston's median is +16.37% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brownsville spans $204,137,Houston spans $181,944. Brownsville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Brownsville
P10 (Entry)$163,421
P25$214,113
Median$243,821
P75$299,025
P90 (Top)$367,558
Houston
P10 (Entry)$178,114
P25$232,324
Median$289,626
P75$340,627
P90 (Top)$360,058

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($293,652 effective) pays 15.62% more than Brownsville ($253,980 effective).

Brownsville
Nominal: $243,821
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $253,980
Houston
Nominal: $289,626
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $293,652

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brownsville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($367,558)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($289,626/year)
  • Larger job market (680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $293,652)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Brownsville grew 12.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 63.7% growth in Houston over the same period.

Brownsville, TX

+12.3%

$206,354 (2024) → $231,769 (2025)

Houston, TX

+63.7%

$168,180 (2019) → $275,310 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Brownsville or Houston?

Houston has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $289,626/year, compared to Brownsville at $243,821/year — a difference of $45,805 (18.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brownsville and Houston?

Brownsville nurse anesthetists earn $117.22/hr while Houston hygienists earn $139.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brownsville to Houston as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brownsville and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brownsville = $253,980, Houston = $293,652), job availability (34 vs 680 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Brownsville vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $163,421 in Brownsville and $178,114 in Houston. The Houston 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