Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Cookeville vs Nashville: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Cookeville, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cookeville, TN
$217,099
$104.38/hr
Nashville, TN
$222,445
$106.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCookeville, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$217,099$222,445
Hourly Rate$104.38$106.95
Entry Level (P10)$149,316$160,083
25th Percentile$192,768$202,941
75th Percentile$265,474$225,444
Top Earner (P90)$298,664$318,177
Total Employed7830
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cookeville ($217,099) and Nashville ($222,445) nurse anesthetist salaries.CookevilleNashvilleMedian Salary$217,099$222,445Entry Level (P10)$149,316$160,083Top Earner (P90)$298,664$318,177US Median $248,893

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cookeville.

The salary gap between Cookeville and Nashville is $5,346 (2.46%). Nashville's median is -10.63% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cookeville spans $149,348,Nashville spans $158,094. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Cookeville
P10 (Entry)$149,316
P25$192,768
Median$217,099
P75$265,474
P90 (Top)$298,664
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$160,083
P25$202,941
Median$222,445
P75$225,444
P90 (Top)$318,177

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cookeville ($236,491 effective) pays 2.42% more than Nashville ($230,901 effective).

Cookeville
Nominal: $217,099
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $236,491
Nashville
Nominal: $222,445
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $230,901

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cookeville if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $236,491)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($222,445/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($318,177)
  • Larger job market (830 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Cookeville grew 13.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 36.4% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Cookeville, TN

+13.7%

$181,430 (2024) → $206,368 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+36.4%

$154,990 (2019) → $211,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Cookeville or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $222,445/year, compared to Cookeville at $217,099/year — a difference of $5,346 (2.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cookeville and Nashville?

Cookeville nurse anesthetists earn $104.38/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $106.95/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cookeville to Nashville as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cookeville and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cookeville = $236,491, Nashville = $230,901), job availability (7 vs 830 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Cookeville vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $149,316 in Cookeville and $160,083 in Nashville. The Nashville 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