Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Franklin vs Milwaukee: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Franklin, WI
$272,849
$131.17/hr
Milwaukee, WI
$297,548
$143.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFranklin, WIMilwaukee, WI
Median Salary$272,849$297,548
Hourly Rate$131.17$143.05
Entry Level (P10)$192,843$238,667
25th Percentile$240,037$278,475
75th Percentile$337,362$303,544
Top Earner (P90)$381,457$303,544
Total Employed8210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Franklin ($272,849) and Milwaukee ($297,548) nurse anesthetist salaries.FranklinMilwaukeeMedian Salary$272,849$297,548Entry Level (P10)$192,843$238,667Top Earner (P90)$381,457$303,544US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Franklin and Milwaukee is $24,699 (9.05%). Milwaukee's median is +19.55% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Franklin spans $188,614,Milwaukee spans $64,877. Franklin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Franklin
P10 (Entry)$192,843
P25$240,037
Median$272,849
P75$337,362
P90 (Top)$381,457
Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$238,667
P25$278,475
Median$297,548
P75$303,544
P90 (Top)$303,544

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($306,950 effective) pays 5.07% more than Franklin ($292,130 effective).

Franklin
Nominal: $272,849
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $292,130
Milwaukee
Nominal: $297,548
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $306,950

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 ($381,457)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($297,548/year)
  • Larger job market (210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $306,950)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Franklin grew 28.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 40.3% growth in Milwaukee over the same period.

Franklin, WI

+28.4%

$202,027 (2024) → $259,362 (2025)

Milwaukee, WI

+40.3%

$201,560 (2019) → $282,840 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Franklin or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $297,548/year, compared to Franklin at $272,849/year — a difference of $24,699 (9.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Franklin and Milwaukee?

Franklin nurse anesthetists earn $131.17/hr while Milwaukee hygienists earn $143.05/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Franklin and Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Franklin = $292,130, Milwaukee = $306,950), job availability (8 vs 210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $192,843 in Franklin and $238,667 in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee 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