Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Clifton vs Jersey City: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Clifton, NJ and Jersey City, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Clifton, NJ
$281,416
$135.30/hr
Jersey City, NJ
$343,519
$165.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricClifton, NJJersey City, NJ
Median Salary$281,416$343,519
Hourly Rate$135.30$165.15
Entry Level (P10)$193,076$210,432
25th Percentile$250,099$288,183
75th Percentile$342,245$431,264
Top Earner (P90)$416,770$503,535
Total Employed1442
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Clifton ($281,416) and Jersey City ($343,519) nurse anesthetist salaries.CliftonJersey CityMedian Salary$281,416$343,519Entry Level (P10)$193,076$210,432Top Earner (P90)$416,770$503,535US Median $248,893

Verdict

Jersey City, NJ offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Clifton.

The salary gap between Clifton and Jersey City is $62,103 (22.07%). Jersey City's median is +38.02% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Clifton spans $223,694,Jersey City spans $293,103. Jersey City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Clifton
P10 (Entry)$193,076
P25$250,099
Median$281,416
P75$342,245
P90 (Top)$416,770
Jersey City
P10 (Entry)$210,432
P25$288,183
Median$343,519
P75$431,264
P90 (Top)$503,535

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jersey City ($298,194 effective) pays 22.07% more than Clifton ($244,285 effective).

Clifton
Nominal: $281,416
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $244,285
Jersey City
Nominal: $343,519
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $298,194

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Clifton if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Jersey City if…

  • Higher median salary ($343,519/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($503,535)
  • Larger job market (42 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $298,194)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Clifton grew -5.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.2% growth in Jersey City over the same period.

Clifton, NJ

+-5.4%

$282,668 (2024) → $267,506 (2025)

Jersey City, NJ

+8.2%

$301,730 (2024) → $326,539 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Clifton or Jersey City?

Jersey City has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $343,519/year, compared to Clifton at $281,416/year — a difference of $62,103 (22.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Clifton and Jersey City?

Clifton nurse anesthetists earn $135.30/hr while Jersey City hygienists earn $165.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Clifton to Jersey City as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Clifton and Jersey City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Clifton = $244,285, Jersey City = $298,194), job availability (14 vs 42 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Clifton vs Jersey City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $193,076 in Clifton and $210,432 in Jersey City. The Jersey City area offers higher starting salaries.
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