Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Gastonia vs Winston: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Gastonia, NC and Winston, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gastonia, NC
$285,758
$137.38/hr
Winston, NC
$227,379
$109.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGastonia, NCWinston, NC
Median Salary$285,758$227,379
Hourly Rate$137.38$109.31
Entry Level (P10)$189,946$75,975
25th Percentile$249,596$158,284
75th Percentile$354,274$288,080
Top Earner (P90)$404,774$316,883
Total Employed16440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gastonia ($285,758) and Winston ($227,379) nurse anesthetist salaries.GastoniaWinstonMedian Salary$285,758$227,379Entry Level (P10)$189,946$75,975Top Earner (P90)$404,774$316,883US Median $248,893

Verdict

Gastonia, NC offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Winston.

The salary gap between Gastonia and Winston is $58,379 (25.67%). Gastonia's median is +14.81% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gastonia spans $214,828,Winston spans $240,908. Winston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Gastonia
P10 (Entry)$189,946
P25$249,596
Median$285,758
P75$354,274
P90 (Top)$404,774
Winston
P10 (Entry)$75,975
P25$158,284
Median$227,379
P75$288,080
P90 (Top)$316,883

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gastonia ($305,297 effective) pays 23.58% more than Winston ($247,036 effective).

Gastonia
Nominal: $285,758
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $305,297
Winston
Nominal: $227,379
CoL Index: 92.043
Adjusted: $247,036

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gastonia if…

  • Higher median salary ($285,758/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($404,774)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $305,297)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Winston if…

  • Larger job market (440 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Gastonia grew 42.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.4% growth in Winston over the same period.

Gastonia, NC

+42.6%

$190,446 (2024) → $271,633 (2025)

Winston, NC

+10.4%

$195,730 (2021) → $216,140 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Gastonia or Winston?

Gastonia has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $285,758/year, compared to Winston at $227,379/year — a difference of $58,379 (25.67%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gastonia and Winston?

Gastonia nurse anesthetists earn $137.38/hr while Winston hygienists earn $109.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gastonia to Winston as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gastonia and Winston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gastonia = $305,297, Winston = $247,036), job availability (16 vs 440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Gastonia vs Winston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $189,946 in Gastonia and $75,975 in Winston. The Gastonia 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