Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Charlotte vs Kernersville: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Charlotte, NC
$291,983
$140.38/hr
Kernersville, NC
$230,602
$110.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCKernersville, NC
Median Salary$291,983$230,602
Hourly Rate$140.38$110.87
Entry Level (P10)$234,081$155,529
25th Percentile$243,506$202,488
75th Percentile$328,950$284,406
Top Earner (P90)$351,557$322,357
Total Employed9106
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($291,983) and Kernersville ($230,602) nurse anesthetist salaries.CharlotteKernersvilleMedian Salary$291,983$230,602Entry Level (P10)$234,081$155,529Top Earner (P90)$351,557$322,357US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Charlotte and Kernersville is $61,381 (26.62%). 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,Kernersville spans $166,828. Kernersville 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
Kernersville
P10 (Entry)$155,529
P25$202,488
Median$230,602
P75$284,406
P90 (Top)$322,357

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($299,937 effective) pays 21.74% more than Kernersville ($246,370 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $291,983
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $299,937
Kernersville
Nominal: $230,602
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $246,370

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 Kernersville 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 Kernersville over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+43.1%

$193,950 (2019) → $277,550 (2025)

Kernersville, NC

+12.6%

$194,759 (2024) → $219,203 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Charlotte or Kernersville?

Charlotte has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $291,983/year, compared to Kernersville at $230,602/year — a difference of $61,381 (26.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Kernersville?

Charlotte nurse anesthetists earn $140.38/hr while Kernersville hygienists earn $110.87/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Kernersville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $299,937, Kernersville = $246,370), job availability (910 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $234,081 in Charlotte and $155,529 in Kernersville. 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