Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Houston vs Temple: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$289,626
$139.24/hr
Temple, TX
$239,456
$115.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXTemple, TX
Median Salary$289,626$239,456
Hourly Rate$139.24$115.12
Entry Level (P10)$178,114$164,441
25th Percentile$232,324$212,924
75th Percentile$340,627$300,456
Top Earner (P90)$360,058$346,084
Total Employed68014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($289,626) and Temple ($239,456) nurse anesthetist salaries.HoustonTempleMedian Salary$289,626$239,456Entry Level (P10)$178,114$164,441Top Earner (P90)$360,058$346,084US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Temple is $50,170 (20.95%). 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,Temple spans $181,643. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$178,114
P25$232,324
Median$289,626
P75$340,627
P90 (Top)$360,058
Temple
P10 (Entry)$164,441
P25$212,924
Median$239,456
P75$300,456
P90 (Top)$346,084

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($293,652 effective) pays 17.73% more than Temple ($249,433 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $289,626
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $293,652
Temple
Nominal: $239,456
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $249,433

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 Temple 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 Temple over the same period.

Houston, TX

+63.7%

$168,180 (2019) → $275,310 (2025)

Temple, TX

+12.3%

$202,660 (2024) → $227,620 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Houston or Temple?

Houston has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $289,626/year, compared to Temple at $239,456/year — a difference of $50,170 (20.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Temple?

Houston nurse anesthetists earn $139.24/hr while Temple hygienists earn $115.12/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Temple. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $293,652, Temple = $249,433), job availability (680 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $178,114 in Houston and $164,441 in Temple. 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