Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Jersey City vs Princeton: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Jersey City, NJ
$343,519
$165.15/hr
Princeton, NJ
$283,652
$136.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJersey City, NJPrinceton, NJ
Median Salary$343,519$283,652
Hourly Rate$165.15$136.37
Entry Level (P10)$210,432$190,559
25th Percentile$288,183$248,517
75th Percentile$431,264$343,612
Top Earner (P90)$503,535$384,894
Total Employed426
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jersey City ($343,519) and Princeton ($283,652) nurse anesthetist salaries.Jersey CityPrincetonMedian Salary$343,519$283,652Entry Level (P10)$210,432$190,559Top Earner (P90)$503,535$384,894US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Jersey City and Princeton is $59,867 (21.11%). 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,Princeton spans $194,335. 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
Princeton
P10 (Entry)$190,559
P25$248,517
Median$283,652
P75$343,612
P90 (Top)$384,894

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jersey City ($298,194 effective) pays 21.11% more than Princeton ($246,226 effective).

Jersey City
Nominal: $343,519
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $298,194
Princeton
Nominal: $283,652
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $246,226

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 Princeton 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 Princeton over the same period.

Jersey City, NJ

+8.2%

$301,730 (2024) → $326,539 (2025)

Princeton, NJ

+-5.4%

$284,914 (2024) → $269,631 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Jersey City has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $343,519/year, compared to Princeton at $283,652/year — a difference of $59,867 (21.11%).

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

Jersey City nurse anesthetists earn $165.15/hr while Princeton hygienists earn $136.37/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jersey City and Princeton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jersey City = $298,194, Princeton = $246,226), job availability (42 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $210,432 in Jersey City and $190,559 in Princeton. 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