Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Fort Wayne vs Franklin: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Fort Wayne, IN and Franklin, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Wayne, IN
$235,115
$113.04/hr
Franklin, IN
$223,393
$107.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INFranklin, IN
Median Salary$235,115$223,393
Hourly Rate$113.04$107.40
Entry Level (P10)$140,415$147,720
25th Percentile$193,761$193,981
75th Percentile$297,159$273,741
Top Earner (P90)$346,767$308,259
Total Employed666
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($235,115) and Franklin ($223,393) nurse anesthetist salaries.Fort WayneFranklinMedian Salary$235,115$223,393Entry Level (P10)$140,415$147,720Top Earner (P90)$346,767$308,259US Median $248,893

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Franklin.

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Franklin is $11,722 (5.25%). Fort Wayne's median is -5.54% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Wayne spans $206,352,Franklin spans $160,539. Fort Wayne has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$140,415
P25$193,761
Median$235,115
P75$297,159
P90 (Top)$346,767
Franklin
P10 (Entry)$147,720
P25$193,981
Median$223,393
P75$273,741
P90 (Top)$308,259

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($257,519 effective) pays 5.25% more than Franklin ($244,680 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $235,115
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $257,519
Franklin
Nominal: $223,393
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $244,680

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($235,115/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($346,767)
  • Larger job market (66 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $257,519)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Franklin if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Fort Wayne grew 16.7% from 2022 to 2025, compared to 12.7% growth in Franklin over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+16.7%

$191,450 (2022) → $223,493 (2025)

Franklin, IN

+12.7%

$188,485 (2024) → $212,351 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Fort Wayne or Franklin?

Fort Wayne has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $235,115/year, compared to Franklin at $223,393/year — a difference of $11,722 (5.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Wayne and Franklin?

Fort Wayne nurse anesthetists earn $113.04/hr while Franklin hygienists earn $107.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Wayne to Franklin as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Franklin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $257,519, Franklin = $244,680), job availability (66 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Fort Wayne vs Franklin?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $140,415 in Fort Wayne and $147,720 in Franklin. The Franklin 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