Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Houston vs Mesquite: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$289,626
$139.24/hr
Mesquite, TX
$242,402
$116.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXMesquite, TX
Median Salary$289,626$242,402
Hourly Rate$139.24$116.54
Entry Level (P10)$178,114$160,280
25th Percentile$232,324$211,208
75th Percentile$340,627$304,922
Top Earner (P90)$360,058$353,551
Total Employed68021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($289,626) and Mesquite ($242,402) nurse anesthetist salaries.HoustonMesquiteMedian Salary$289,626$242,402Entry Level (P10)$178,114$160,280Top Earner (P90)$360,058$353,551US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Mesquite is $47,224 (19.48%). 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,Mesquite spans $193,271. Mesquite 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
Mesquite
P10 (Entry)$160,280
P25$211,208
Median$242,402
P75$304,922
P90 (Top)$353,551

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($293,652 effective) pays 16.30% more than Mesquite ($252,502 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $289,626
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $293,652
Mesquite
Nominal: $242,402
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $252,502

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 Mesquite 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 12.3% growth in Mesquite over the same period.

Houston, TX

+63.7%

$168,180 (2019) → $275,310 (2025)

Mesquite, TX

+12.3%

$205,154 (2024) → $230,420 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Houston or Mesquite?

Houston has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $289,626/year, compared to Mesquite at $242,402/year — a difference of $47,224 (19.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Mesquite?

Houston nurse anesthetists earn $139.24/hr while Mesquite hygienists earn $116.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Mesquite as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Mesquite. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $293,652, Mesquite = $252,502), job availability (680 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $178,114 in Houston and $160,280 in Mesquite. 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