Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Herndon vs Norfolk: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Herndon, VA and Norfolk, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Herndon, VA
$240,606
$115.68/hr
Norfolk, VA
$248,837
$119.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHerndon, VANorfolk, VA
Median Salary$240,606$248,837
Hourly Rate$115.68$119.63
Entry Level (P10)$176,661$151,583
25th Percentile$222,074$208,099
75th Percentile$285,132$317,294
Top Earner (P90)$314,650$373,110
Total Employed554
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Herndon ($240,606) and Norfolk ($248,837) nurse anesthetist salaries.HerndonNorfolkMedian Salary$240,606$248,837Entry Level (P10)$176,661$151,583Top Earner (P90)$314,650$373,110US Median $248,893

Verdict

Norfolk, VA offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Herndon.

The salary gap between Herndon and Norfolk is $8,231 (3.42%). Norfolk's median is -0.02% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Herndon spans $137,989,Norfolk spans $221,527. Norfolk has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Herndon
P10 (Entry)$176,661
P25$222,074
Median$240,606
P75$285,132
P90 (Top)$314,650
Norfolk
P10 (Entry)$151,583
P25$208,099
Median$248,837
P75$317,294
P90 (Top)$373,110

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Norfolk ($241,121 effective) pays 3.42% more than Herndon ($233,145 effective).

Herndon
Nominal: $240,606
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $233,145
Norfolk
Nominal: $248,837
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $241,121

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Herndon if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Norfolk if…

  • Higher median salary ($248,837/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($373,110)
  • Larger job market (54 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $241,121)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Herndon grew 10.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.0% growth in Norfolk over the same period.

Herndon, VA

+10.0%

$207,841 (2024) → $228,713 (2025)

Norfolk, VA

+2.0%

$231,946 (2024) → $236,537 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Herndon or Norfolk?

Norfolk has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $248,837/year, compared to Herndon at $240,606/year — a difference of $8,231 (3.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Herndon and Norfolk?

Herndon nurse anesthetists earn $115.68/hr while Norfolk hygienists earn $119.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Herndon to Norfolk as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Herndon and Norfolk. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Herndon = $233,145, Norfolk = $241,121), job availability (5 vs 54 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Herndon vs Norfolk?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $176,661 in Herndon and $151,583 in Norfolk. The Herndon 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