Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Burlington vs Charlotte: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Burlington, NC and Charlotte, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burlington, NC
$228,020
$109.63/hr
Charlotte, NC
$291,983
$140.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurlington, NCCharlotte, NC
Median Salary$228,020$291,983
Hourly Rate$109.63$140.38
Entry Level (P10)$154,865$234,081
25th Percentile$202,164$243,506
75th Percentile$290,507$328,950
Top Earner (P90)$336,888$351,557
Total Employed14910
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burlington ($228,020) and Charlotte ($291,983) nurse anesthetist salaries.BurlingtonCharlotteMedian Salary$228,020$291,983Entry Level (P10)$154,865$234,081Top Earner (P90)$336,888$351,557US Median $248,893

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Burlington.

The salary gap between Burlington and Charlotte is $63,963 (28.05%). Charlotte's median is +17.31% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burlington spans $182,023,Charlotte spans $117,476. Burlington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Burlington
P10 (Entry)$154,865
P25$202,164
Median$228,020
P75$290,507
P90 (Top)$336,888
Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$234,081
P25$243,506
Median$291,983
P75$328,950
P90 (Top)$351,557

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($299,937 effective) pays 23.12% more than Burlington ($243,611 effective).

Burlington
Nominal: $228,020
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $243,611
Charlotte
Nominal: $291,983
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $299,937

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burlington if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($291,983/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($351,557)
  • Larger job market (910 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $299,937)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Burlington grew 12.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 43.1% growth in Charlotte over the same period.

Burlington, NC

+12.6%

$192,578 (2024) → $216,749 (2025)

Charlotte, NC

+43.1%

$193,950 (2019) → $277,550 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Burlington or Charlotte?

Charlotte has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $291,983/year, compared to Burlington at $228,020/year — a difference of $63,963 (28.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burlington and Charlotte?

Burlington nurse anesthetists earn $109.63/hr while Charlotte hygienists earn $140.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burlington to Charlotte as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burlington and Charlotte. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burlington = $243,611, Charlotte = $299,937), job availability (14 vs 910 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Burlington vs Charlotte?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $154,865 in Burlington and $234,081 in Charlotte. The Charlotte 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