Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Jersey City vs Lakewood: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Jersey City, NJ and Lakewood, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jersey City, NJ
$343,519
$165.15/hr
Lakewood, NJ
$284,484
$136.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJersey City, NJLakewood, NJ
Median Salary$343,519$284,484
Hourly Rate$165.15$136.77
Entry Level (P10)$210,432$187,319
25th Percentile$288,183$247,279
75th Percentile$431,264$363,541
Top Earner (P90)$503,535$424,493
Total Employed4231
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jersey City ($343,519) and Lakewood ($284,484) nurse anesthetist salaries.Jersey CityLakewoodMedian Salary$343,519$284,484Entry Level (P10)$210,432$187,319Top Earner (P90)$503,535$424,493US Median $248,893

Verdict

Jersey City, NJ offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lakewood.

The salary gap between Jersey City and Lakewood is $59,035 (20.75%). Jersey City's median is +38.02% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jersey City spans $293,103,Lakewood spans $237,174. Jersey City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Jersey City
P10 (Entry)$210,432
P25$288,183
Median$343,519
P75$431,264
P90 (Top)$503,535
Lakewood
P10 (Entry)$187,319
P25$247,279
Median$284,484
P75$363,541
P90 (Top)$424,493

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jersey City ($298,194 effective) pays 20.75% more than Lakewood ($246,948 effective).

Jersey City
Nominal: $343,519
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $298,194
Lakewood
Nominal: $284,484
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $246,948

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jersey City if…

  • Higher median salary ($343,519/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($503,535)
  • Larger job market (42 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $298,194)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Lakewood if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Jersey City grew 8.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -5.4% growth in Lakewood over the same period.

Jersey City, NJ

+8.2%

$301,730 (2024) → $326,539 (2025)

Lakewood, NJ

+-5.4%

$285,749 (2024) → $270,422 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Jersey City or Lakewood?

Jersey City has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $343,519/year, compared to Lakewood at $284,484/year — a difference of $59,035 (20.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jersey City and Lakewood?

Jersey City nurse anesthetists earn $165.15/hr while Lakewood hygienists earn $136.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jersey City to Lakewood as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jersey City and Lakewood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jersey City = $298,194, Lakewood = $246,948), job availability (42 vs 31 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Jersey City vs Lakewood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $210,432 in Jersey City and $187,319 in Lakewood. The Jersey City 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