Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Knoxville vs Murfreesboro: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Knoxville, TN and Murfreesboro, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Knoxville, TN
$225,023
$108.19/hr
Murfreesboro, TN
$218,504
$105.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNMurfreesboro, TN
Median Salary$225,023$218,504
Hourly Rate$108.19$105.05
Entry Level (P10)$147,722$143,847
25th Percentile$196,335$189,907
75th Percentile$226,811$279,203
Top Earner (P90)$250,060$317,874
Total Employed22029
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($225,023) and Murfreesboro ($218,504) nurse anesthetist salaries.KnoxvilleMurfreesboroMedian Salary$225,023$218,504Entry Level (P10)$147,722$143,847Top Earner (P90)$250,060$317,874US Median $248,893

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Murfreesboro.

The salary gap between Knoxville and Murfreesboro is $6,519 (2.98%). Knoxville's median is -9.59% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $102,338,Murfreesboro spans $174,027. Murfreesboro has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$147,722
P25$196,335
Median$225,023
P75$226,811
P90 (Top)$250,060
Murfreesboro
P10 (Entry)$143,847
P25$189,907
Median$218,504
P75$279,203
P90 (Top)$317,874

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($243,087 effective) pays 2.13% more than Murfreesboro ($238,022 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $225,023
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $243,087
Murfreesboro
Nominal: $218,504
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $238,022

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($225,023/year)
  • Larger job market (220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $243,087)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Murfreesboro if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($317,874)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Knoxville grew 41.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.6% growth in Murfreesboro over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+41.3%

$151,330 (2019) → $213,900 (2025)

Murfreesboro, TN

+9.6%

$189,436 (2024) → $207,703 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Knoxville or Murfreesboro?

Knoxville has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $225,023/year, compared to Murfreesboro at $218,504/year — a difference of $6,519 (2.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Murfreesboro?

Knoxville nurse anesthetists earn $108.19/hr while Murfreesboro hygienists earn $105.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to Murfreesboro as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Murfreesboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $243,087, Murfreesboro = $238,022), job availability (220 vs 29 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Knoxville vs Murfreesboro?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $147,722 in Knoxville and $143,847 in Murfreesboro. The Knoxville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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