Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Carrollton vs Houston: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Carrollton, TX
$246,855
$118.68/hr
Houston, TX
$289,626
$139.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarrollton, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$246,855$289,626
Hourly Rate$118.68$139.24
Entry Level (P10)$150,864$178,114
25th Percentile$220,391$232,324
75th Percentile$306,432$340,627
Top Earner (P90)$369,150$360,058
Total Employed20680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carrollton ($246,855) and Houston ($289,626) nurse anesthetist salaries.CarrolltonHoustonMedian Salary$246,855$289,626Entry Level (P10)$150,864$178,114Top Earner (P90)$369,150$360,058US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Carrollton and Houston is $42,771 (17.33%). 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 Carrollton spans $218,286,Houston spans $181,944. Carrollton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Carrollton
P10 (Entry)$150,864
P25$220,391
Median$246,855
P75$306,432
P90 (Top)$369,150
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 14.20% more than Carrollton ($257,141 effective).

Carrollton
Nominal: $246,855
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $257,141
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 Carrollton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($369,150)
  • 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 Carrollton grew 12.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 63.7% growth in Houston over the same period.

Carrollton, TX

+12.3%

$208,923 (2024) → $234,653 (2025)

Houston, TX

+63.7%

$168,180 (2019) → $275,310 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Carrollton or Houston?

Houston has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $289,626/year, compared to Carrollton at $246,855/year — a difference of $42,771 (17.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carrollton and Houston?

Carrollton nurse anesthetists earn $118.68/hr while Houston hygienists earn $139.24/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carrollton and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carrollton = $257,141, Houston = $293,652), job availability (20 vs 680 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $150,864 in Carrollton 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