Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Charlotte vs Fayetteville: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Charlotte, NC
$291,983
$140.38/hr
Fayetteville, NC
$349,012
$167.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCFayetteville, NC
Median Salary$291,983$349,012
Hourly Rate$140.38$167.79
Entry Level (P10)$234,081$123,200
25th Percentile$243,506$123,200
75th Percentile$328,950$349,012
Top Earner (P90)$351,557$349,012
Total Employed91090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($291,983) and Fayetteville ($349,012) nurse anesthetist salaries.CharlotteFayettevilleMedian Salary$291,983$349,012Entry Level (P10)$234,081$123,200Top Earner (P90)$351,557$349,012US Median $248,893

Verdict

Charlotte and Fayetteville are closely matched on overall nurse anesthetist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Charlotte and Fayetteville is $57,029 (19.53%). Fayetteville's median is +40.23% 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,Fayetteville spans $225,812. Fayetteville 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
Fayetteville
P10 (Entry)$123,200
P25$123,200
Median$349,012
P75$349,012
P90 (Top)$349,012

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fayetteville ($379,452 effective) pays 26.51% more than Charlotte ($299,937 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $291,983
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $299,937
Fayetteville
Nominal: $349,012
CoL Index: 91.978
Adjusted: $379,452

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($351,557)
  • Larger job market (910 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Fayetteville if…

  • Higher median salary ($349,012/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $379,452)
  • 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 50.3% growth in Fayetteville over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+43.1%

$193,950 (2019) → $277,550 (2025)

Fayetteville, NC

+50.3%

$220,690 (2022) → $331,760 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Charlotte or Fayetteville?

Fayetteville has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $349,012/year, compared to Charlotte at $291,983/year — a difference of $57,029 (19.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Fayetteville?

Charlotte nurse anesthetists earn $140.38/hr while Fayetteville hygienists earn $167.79/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Fayetteville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $299,937, Fayetteville = $379,452), job availability (910 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $234,081 in Charlotte and $123,200 in Fayetteville. The Charlotte area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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