Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Erie vs Pittsburgh: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Erie, PA and Pittsburgh, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Erie, PA
$223,150
$107.28/hr
Pittsburgh, PA
$235,196
$113.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricErie, PAPittsburgh, PA
Median Salary$223,150$235,196
Hourly Rate$107.28$113.08
Entry Level (P10)$141,084$203,267
25th Percentile$199,996$205,708
75th Percentile$223,150$241,644
Top Earner (P90)$316,936$281,873
Total Employed70500
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Erie ($223,150) and Pittsburgh ($235,196) nurse anesthetist salaries.EriePittsburghMedian Salary$223,150$235,196Entry Level (P10)$141,084$203,267Top Earner (P90)$316,936$281,873US Median $248,893

Verdict

Pittsburgh, PA offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Erie.

The salary gap between Erie and Pittsburgh is $12,046 (5.40%). Pittsburgh's median is -5.50% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Erie spans $175,852,Pittsburgh spans $78,606. Erie has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Erie
P10 (Entry)$141,084
P25$199,996
Median$223,150
P75$223,150
P90 (Top)$316,936
Pittsburgh
P10 (Entry)$203,267
P25$205,708
Median$235,196
P75$241,644
P90 (Top)$281,873

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pittsburgh ($248,435 effective) pays 1.26% more than Erie ($245,355 effective).

Erie
Nominal: $223,150
CoL Index: 90.95
Adjusted: $245,355
Pittsburgh
Nominal: $235,196
CoL Index: 94.671
Adjusted: $248,435

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Erie if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($316,936)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Pittsburgh if…

  • Higher median salary ($235,196/year)
  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $248,435)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Erie grew 7.7% from 2023 to 2025, compared to 31.3% growth in Pittsburgh over the same period.

Erie, PA

+7.7%

$197,040 (2023) → $212,120 (2025)

Pittsburgh, PA

+31.3%

$170,320 (2019) → $223,570 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Erie or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $235,196/year, compared to Erie at $223,150/year — a difference of $12,046 (5.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Erie and Pittsburgh?

Erie nurse anesthetists earn $107.28/hr while Pittsburgh hygienists earn $113.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Erie to Pittsburgh as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Erie and Pittsburgh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Erie = $245,355, Pittsburgh = $248,435), job availability (70 vs 500 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Erie vs Pittsburgh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $141,084 in Erie and $203,267 in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh 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