Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Duluth vs St. Cloud: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Duluth, MN and St. Cloud, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$274,320
$131.89/hr
St. Cloud, MN
$243,358
$117.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNSt. Cloud, MN
Median Salary$274,320$243,358
Hourly Rate$131.89$117.00
Entry Level (P10)$220,278$151,639
25th Percentile$234,533$219,571
75th Percentile$301,251$299,441
Top Earner (P90)$323,174$356,396
Total Employed6012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($274,320) and St. Cloud ($243,358) nurse anesthetist salaries.DuluthSt. CloudMedian Salary$274,320$243,358Entry Level (P10)$220,278$151,639Top Earner (P90)$323,174$356,396US Median $248,893

Verdict

Duluth, MN offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to St. Cloud.

The salary gap between Duluth and St. Cloud is $30,962 (12.72%). Duluth's median is +10.22% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $102,896,St. Cloud spans $204,757. St. Cloud has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$220,278
P25$234,533
Median$274,320
P75$301,251
P90 (Top)$323,174
St. Cloud
P10 (Entry)$151,639
P25$219,571
Median$243,358
P75$299,441
P90 (Top)$356,396

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($309,030 effective) pays 25.08% more than St. Cloud ($247,064 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $274,320
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $309,030
St. Cloud
Nominal: $243,358
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $247,064

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Higher median salary ($274,320/year)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $309,030)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Cloud if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($356,396)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Duluth grew 18.5% from 2022 to 2025, compared to 16.9% growth in St. Cloud over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+18.5%

$219,970 (2022) → $260,760 (2025)

St. Cloud, MN

+16.9%

$197,900 (2019) → $231,329 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Duluth or St. Cloud?

Duluth has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $274,320/year, compared to St. Cloud at $243,358/year — a difference of $30,962 (12.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and St. Cloud?

Duluth nurse anesthetists earn $131.89/hr while St. Cloud hygienists earn $117.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to St. Cloud as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and St. Cloud. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $309,030, St. Cloud = $247,064), job availability (60 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Duluth vs St. Cloud?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $220,278 in Duluth and $151,639 in St. Cloud. The Duluth 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