Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Hopkinsville vs Lexington: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Hopkinsville, KY
$216,585
$104.13/hr
Lexington, KY
$255,320
$122.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHopkinsville, KYLexington, KY
Median Salary$216,585$255,320
Hourly Rate$104.13$122.75
Entry Level (P10)$140,044$217,848
25th Percentile$185,725$218,511
75th Percentile$263,125$285,650
Top Earner (P90)$308,478$285,650
Total Employed6270
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hopkinsville ($216,585) and Lexington ($255,320) nurse anesthetist salaries.HopkinsvilleLexingtonMedian Salary$216,585$255,320Entry Level (P10)$140,044$217,848Top Earner (P90)$308,478$285,650US Median $248,893

Verdict

Lexington, KY offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hopkinsville.

The salary gap between Hopkinsville and Lexington is $38,735 (17.88%). Lexington's median is +2.58% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hopkinsville spans $168,434,Lexington spans $67,802. Hopkinsville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hopkinsville
P10 (Entry)$140,044
P25$185,725
Median$216,585
P75$263,125
P90 (Top)$308,478
Lexington
P10 (Entry)$217,848
P25$218,511
Median$255,320
P75$285,650
P90 (Top)$285,650

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington ($274,866 effective) pays 13.33% more than Hopkinsville ($242,536 effective).

Hopkinsville
Nominal: $216,585
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $242,536
Lexington
Nominal: $255,320
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $274,866

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hopkinsville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($308,478)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($255,320/year)
  • Larger job market (270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $274,866)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Hopkinsville grew 13.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 44.1% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Hopkinsville, KY

+13.7%

$181,000 (2024) → $205,879 (2025)

Lexington, KY

+44.1%

$168,480 (2019) → $242,700 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Hopkinsville or Lexington?

Lexington has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $255,320/year, compared to Hopkinsville at $216,585/year — a difference of $38,735 (17.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hopkinsville and Lexington?

Hopkinsville nurse anesthetists earn $104.13/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $122.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hopkinsville to Lexington as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hopkinsville and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hopkinsville = $242,536, Lexington = $274,866), job availability (6 vs 270 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Hopkinsville vs Lexington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $140,044 in Hopkinsville and $217,848 in Lexington. The Lexington 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