Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Houston vs Fort Worth: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Houston, TX and Fort Worth, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$289,626
$139.24/hr
Fort Worth, TX
$228,520
$109.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXFort Worth, TX
Median Salary$289,626$228,520
Hourly Rate$139.24$109.86
Entry Level (P10)$178,114$150,043
25th Percentile$232,324$198,752
75th Percentile$340,627$292,505
Top Earner (P90)$360,058$347,598
Total Employed680219
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($289,626) and Fort Worth ($228,520) nurse anesthetist salaries.HoustonFort WorthMedian Salary$289,626$228,520Entry Level (P10)$178,114$150,043Top Earner (P90)$360,058$347,598US Median $248,893

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Worth.

The salary gap between Houston and Fort Worth is $61,106 (26.74%). Houston's median is +16.37% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $181,944,Fort Worth spans $197,555. Fort Worth has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$178,114
P25$232,324
Median$289,626
P75$340,627
P90 (Top)$360,058
Fort Worth
P10 (Entry)$150,043
P25$198,752
Median$228,520
P75$292,505
P90 (Top)$347,598

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($293,652 effective) pays 23.36% more than Fort Worth ($238,042 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $289,626
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $293,652
Fort Worth
Nominal: $228,520
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $238,042

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($289,626/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($360,058)
  • Larger job market (680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $293,652)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Worth if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Houston grew 63.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.9% growth in Fort Worth over the same period.

Houston, TX

+63.7%

$168,180 (2019) → $275,310 (2025)

Fort Worth, TX

+-1.9%

$221,459 (2024) → $217,224 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Houston or Fort Worth?

Houston has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $289,626/year, compared to Fort Worth at $228,520/year — a difference of $61,106 (26.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Fort Worth?

Houston nurse anesthetists earn $139.24/hr while Fort Worth hygienists earn $109.86/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Fort Worth as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Fort Worth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $293,652, Fort Worth = $238,042), job availability (680 vs 219 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Houston vs Fort Worth?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $178,114 in Houston and $150,043 in Fort Worth. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

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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