Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Cornelius vs Winston: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Cornelius, NC
$229,662
$110.42/hr
Winston, NC
$227,379
$109.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCornelius, NCWinston, NC
Median Salary$229,662$227,379
Hourly Rate$110.42$109.31
Entry Level (P10)$164,381$75,975
25th Percentile$209,386$158,284
75th Percentile$277,167$288,080
Top Earner (P90)$311,064$316,883
Total Employed7440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cornelius ($229,662) and Winston ($227,379) nurse anesthetist salaries.CorneliusWinstonMedian Salary$229,662$227,379Entry Level (P10)$164,381$75,975Top Earner (P90)$311,064$316,883US Median $248,893

Verdict

Cornelius and Winston are closely matched on overall nurse anesthetist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Cornelius and Winston is $2,283 (1.00%). Cornelius's median is -7.73% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cornelius spans $146,683,Winston spans $240,908. Winston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Cornelius
P10 (Entry)$164,381
P25$209,386
Median$229,662
P75$277,167
P90 (Top)$311,064
Winston
P10 (Entry)$75,975
P25$158,284
Median$227,379
P75$288,080
P90 (Top)$316,883

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Winston ($247,036 effective) pays 0.68% more than Cornelius ($245,365 effective).

Cornelius
Nominal: $229,662
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $245,365
Winston
Nominal: $227,379
CoL Index: 92.043
Adjusted: $247,036

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cornelius if…

  • Higher median salary ($229,662/year)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Winston if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($316,883)
  • Larger job market (440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $247,036)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Cornelius grew 12.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.4% growth in Winston over the same period.

Cornelius, NC

+12.6%

$193,965 (2024) → $218,310 (2025)

Winston, NC

+10.4%

$195,730 (2021) → $216,140 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Cornelius or Winston?

Cornelius has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $229,662/year, compared to Winston at $227,379/year — a difference of $2,283 (1.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cornelius and Winston?

Cornelius nurse anesthetists earn $110.42/hr while Winston hygienists earn $109.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cornelius to Winston as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cornelius and Winston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cornelius = $245,365, Winston = $247,036), job availability (7 vs 440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Cornelius vs Winston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $164,381 in Cornelius and $75,975 in Winston. The Cornelius 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