Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

El Mirage vs Mesa: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between El Mirage, AZ and Mesa, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

El Mirage, AZ
$237,699
$114.28/hr
Mesa, AZ
$248,327
$119.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEl Mirage, AZMesa, AZ
Median Salary$237,699$248,327
Hourly Rate$114.28$119.39
Entry Level (P10)$151,722$163,684
25th Percentile$216,853$216,467
75th Percentile$295,924$311,000
Top Earner (P90)$336,817$361,373
Total Employed898
Side-by-side bar chart comparing El Mirage ($237,699) and Mesa ($248,327) nurse anesthetist salaries.El MirageMesaMedian Salary$237,699$248,327Entry Level (P10)$151,722$163,684Top Earner (P90)$336,817$361,373US Median $248,893

Verdict

Mesa, AZ offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to El Mirage.

The salary gap between El Mirage and Mesa is $10,628 (4.47%). Mesa's median is -0.23% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in El Mirage spans $185,095,Mesa spans $197,689. Mesa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

El Mirage
P10 (Entry)$151,722
P25$216,853
Median$237,699
P75$295,924
P90 (Top)$336,817
Mesa
P10 (Entry)$163,684
P25$216,467
Median$248,327
P75$311,000
P90 (Top)$361,373

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mesa ($252,109 effective) pays 4.47% more than El Mirage ($241,319 effective).

El Mirage
Nominal: $237,699
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $241,319
Mesa
Nominal: $248,327
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $252,109

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose El Mirage if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Mesa if…

  • Higher median salary ($248,327/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($361,373)
  • Larger job market (98 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $252,109)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in El Mirage grew 12.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.2% growth in Mesa over the same period.

El Mirage, AZ

+12.7%

$200,556 (2024) → $225,950 (2025)

Mesa, AZ

+6.2%

$222,317 (2024) → $236,052 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: El Mirage or Mesa?

Mesa has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $248,327/year, compared to El Mirage at $237,699/year — a difference of $10,628 (4.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between El Mirage and Mesa?

El Mirage nurse anesthetists earn $114.28/hr while Mesa hygienists earn $119.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from El Mirage to Mesa as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing El Mirage and Mesa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: El Mirage = $241,319, Mesa = $252,109), job availability (8 vs 98 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in El Mirage vs Mesa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $151,722 in El Mirage and $163,684 in Mesa. The Mesa 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