Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Frankfort vs Louisville: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Frankfort, KY and Louisville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Frankfort, KY
$217,724
$104.67/hr
Louisville, KY
$242,318
$116.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFrankfort, KYLouisville, KY
Median Salary$217,724$242,318
Hourly Rate$104.67$116.50
Entry Level (P10)$142,678$146,311
25th Percentile$188,103$201,105
75th Percentile$265,538$307,550
Top Earner (P90)$312,871$359,914
Total Employed6132
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Frankfort ($217,724) and Louisville ($242,318) nurse anesthetist salaries.FrankfortLouisvilleMedian Salary$217,724$242,318Entry Level (P10)$142,678$146,311Top Earner (P90)$312,871$359,914US Median $248,893

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Frankfort.

The salary gap between Frankfort and Louisville is $24,594 (11.30%). Louisville's median is -2.64% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Frankfort spans $170,193,Louisville spans $213,603. Louisville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Frankfort
P10 (Entry)$142,678
P25$188,103
Median$217,724
P75$265,538
P90 (Top)$312,871
Louisville
P10 (Entry)$146,311
P25$201,105
Median$242,318
P75$307,550
P90 (Top)$359,914

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($271,353 effective) pays 11.30% more than Frankfort ($243,812 effective).

Frankfort
Nominal: $217,724
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $243,812
Louisville
Nominal: $242,318
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $271,353

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Frankfort if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($242,318/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($359,914)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $271,353)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Frankfort grew 13.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.7% growth in Louisville over the same period.

Frankfort, KY

+13.7%

$181,952 (2024) → $206,962 (2025)

Louisville, KY

+13.7%

$202,505 (2024) → $230,340 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Frankfort or Louisville?

Louisville has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $242,318/year, compared to Frankfort at $217,724/year — a difference of $24,594 (11.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Frankfort and Louisville?

Frankfort nurse anesthetists earn $104.67/hr while Louisville hygienists earn $116.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Frankfort to Louisville as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Frankfort and Louisville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Frankfort = $243,812, Louisville = $271,353), job availability (6 vs 132 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Frankfort vs Louisville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $142,678 in Frankfort and $146,311 in Louisville. The Louisville 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