Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Charlotte vs Garner: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Charlotte, NC
$291,983
$140.38/hr
Garner, NC
$223,269
$107.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCGarner, NC
Median Salary$291,983$223,269
Hourly Rate$140.38$107.35
Entry Level (P10)$234,081$156,093
25th Percentile$243,506$200,815
75th Percentile$328,950$279,986
Top Earner (P90)$351,557$319,696
Total Employed9104
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($291,983) and Garner ($223,269) nurse anesthetist salaries.CharlotteGarnerMedian Salary$291,983$223,269Entry Level (P10)$234,081$156,093Top Earner (P90)$351,557$319,696US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Charlotte and Garner is $68,714 (30.78%). 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,Garner spans $163,603. Garner 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
Garner
P10 (Entry)$156,093
P25$200,815
Median$223,269
P75$279,986
P90 (Top)$319,696

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($299,937 effective) pays 25.74% more than Garner ($238,535 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $291,983
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $299,937
Garner
Nominal: $223,269
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $238,535

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 Garner 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 Garner over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+43.1%

$193,950 (2019) → $277,550 (2025)

Garner, NC

+12.6%

$188,566 (2024) → $212,233 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Charlotte or Garner?

Charlotte has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $291,983/year, compared to Garner at $223,269/year — a difference of $68,714 (30.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Garner?

Charlotte nurse anesthetists earn $140.38/hr while Garner hygienists earn $107.35/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Garner. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $299,937, Garner = $238,535), job availability (910 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $234,081 in Charlotte and $156,093 in Garner. The Charlotte area offers higher starting salaries.

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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