Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Charlotte vs Cornelius: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Charlotte, NC
$291,983
$140.38/hr
Cornelius, NC
$229,662
$110.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCCornelius, NC
Median Salary$291,983$229,662
Hourly Rate$140.38$110.42
Entry Level (P10)$234,081$164,381
25th Percentile$243,506$209,386
75th Percentile$328,950$277,167
Top Earner (P90)$351,557$311,064
Total Employed9107
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($291,983) and Cornelius ($229,662) nurse anesthetist salaries.CharlotteCorneliusMedian Salary$291,983$229,662Entry Level (P10)$234,081$164,381Top Earner (P90)$351,557$311,064US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Charlotte and Cornelius is $62,321 (27.14%). 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 Charlotte spans $117,476,Cornelius spans $146,683. Cornelius has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$234,081
P25$243,506
Median$291,983
P75$328,950
P90 (Top)$351,557
Cornelius
P10 (Entry)$164,381
P25$209,386
Median$229,662
P75$277,167
P90 (Top)$311,064

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($299,937 effective) pays 22.24% more than Cornelius ($245,365 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $291,983
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $299,937
Cornelius
Nominal: $229,662
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $245,365

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Cornelius if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Charlotte grew 43.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.6% growth in Cornelius over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+43.1%

$193,950 (2019) → $277,550 (2025)

Cornelius, NC

+12.6%

$193,965 (2024) → $218,310 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Charlotte or Cornelius?

Charlotte has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $291,983/year, compared to Cornelius at $229,662/year — a difference of $62,321 (27.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Cornelius?

Charlotte nurse anesthetists earn $140.38/hr while Cornelius hygienists earn $110.42/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Cornelius. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $299,937, Cornelius = $245,365), job availability (910 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $234,081 in Charlotte and $164,381 in Cornelius. 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