Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Denton vs Houston: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Denton, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Denton, TX
$242,501
$116.58/hr
Houston, TX
$289,626
$139.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenton, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$242,501$289,626
Hourly Rate$116.58$139.24
Entry Level (P10)$160,497$178,114
25th Percentile$211,409$232,324
75th Percentile$310,401$340,627
Top Earner (P90)$353,893$360,058
Total Employed33680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denton ($242,501) and Houston ($289,626) nurse anesthetist salaries.DentonHoustonMedian Salary$242,501$289,626Entry Level (P10)$160,497$178,114Top Earner (P90)$353,893$360,058US Median $248,893

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Denton.

The salary gap between Denton and Houston is $47,125 (19.43%). Houston's median is +16.37% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denton spans $193,396,Houston spans $181,944. Denton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Denton
P10 (Entry)$160,497
P25$211,409
Median$242,501
P75$310,401
P90 (Top)$353,893
Houston
P10 (Entry)$178,114
P25$232,324
Median$289,626
P75$340,627
P90 (Top)$360,058

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($293,652 effective) pays 16.25% more than Denton ($252,605 effective).

Denton
Nominal: $242,501
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $252,605
Houston
Nominal: $289,626
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $293,652

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denton if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($289,626/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($360,058)
  • Larger job market (680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $293,652)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Denton grew 12.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 63.7% growth in Houston over the same period.

Denton, TX

+12.3%

$205,237 (2024) → $230,514 (2025)

Houston, TX

+63.7%

$168,180 (2019) → $275,310 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Denton or Houston?

Houston has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $289,626/year, compared to Denton at $242,501/year — a difference of $47,125 (19.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denton and Houston?

Denton nurse anesthetists earn $116.58/hr while Houston hygienists earn $139.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denton to Houston as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denton and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denton = $252,605, Houston = $293,652), job availability (33 vs 680 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Denton vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $160,497 in Denton and $178,114 in Houston. The Houston 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