Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Franklin vs Knoxville: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Franklin, TN and Knoxville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Franklin, TN
$219,767
$105.65/hr
Knoxville, TN
$225,023
$108.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFranklin, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$219,767$225,023
Hourly Rate$105.65$108.19
Entry Level (P10)$149,569$147,722
25th Percentile$194,403$196,335
75th Percentile$275,076$226,811
Top Earner (P90)$315,377$250,060
Total Employed18220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Franklin ($219,767) and Knoxville ($225,023) nurse anesthetist salaries.FranklinKnoxvilleMedian Salary$219,767$225,023Entry Level (P10)$149,569$147,722Top Earner (P90)$315,377$250,060US Median $248,893

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Franklin.

The salary gap between Franklin and Knoxville is $5,256 (2.39%). Knoxville's median is -9.59% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Franklin spans $165,808,Knoxville spans $102,338. Franklin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Franklin
P10 (Entry)$149,569
P25$194,403
Median$219,767
P75$275,076
P90 (Top)$315,377
Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$147,722
P25$196,335
Median$225,023
P75$226,811
P90 (Top)$250,060

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($243,087 effective) pays 1.54% more than Franklin ($239,398 effective).

Franklin
Nominal: $219,767
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $239,398
Knoxville
Nominal: $225,023
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $243,087

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Franklin if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($315,377)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($225,023/year)
  • Larger job market (220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $243,087)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Franklin grew 11.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 41.3% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Franklin, TN

+11.9%

$186,759 (2024) → $208,904 (2025)

Knoxville, TN

+41.3%

$151,330 (2019) → $213,900 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Franklin or Knoxville?

Knoxville has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $225,023/year, compared to Franklin at $219,767/year — a difference of $5,256 (2.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Franklin and Knoxville?

Franklin nurse anesthetists earn $105.65/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $108.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Franklin to Knoxville as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Franklin and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Franklin = $239,398, Knoxville = $243,087), job availability (18 vs 220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $149,569 in Franklin and $147,722 in Knoxville. The Franklin 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