Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Lewiston vs Sanford: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Lewiston, ME and Sanford, ME. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lewiston, ME
$260,338
$125.17/hr
Sanford, ME
$231,579
$111.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLewiston, MESanford, ME
Median Salary$260,338$231,579
Hourly Rate$125.17$111.33
Entry Level (P10)$247,998$168,962
25th Percentile$247,998$212,963
75th Percentile$312,234$273,702
Top Earner (P90)$377,889$301,661
Total Employed606
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lewiston ($260,338) and Sanford ($231,579) nurse anesthetist salaries.LewistonSanfordMedian Salary$260,338$231,579Entry Level (P10)$247,998$168,962Top Earner (P90)$377,889$301,661US Median $248,893

Verdict

Lewiston, ME offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sanford.

The salary gap between Lewiston and Sanford is $28,759 (12.42%). Lewiston's median is +4.60% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lewiston spans $129,891,Sanford spans $132,699. Sanford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Lewiston
P10 (Entry)$247,998
P25$247,998
Median$260,338
P75$312,234
P90 (Top)$377,889
Sanford
P10 (Entry)$168,962
P25$212,963
Median$231,579
P75$273,702
P90 (Top)$301,661

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lewiston ($274,804 effective) pays 18.19% more than Sanford ($232,509 effective).

Lewiston
Nominal: $260,338
CoL Index: 94.736
Adjusted: $274,804
Sanford
Nominal: $231,579
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $232,509

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lewiston if…

  • Higher median salary ($260,338/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($377,889)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $274,804)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose Sanford if…

  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Lewiston grew 46.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.7% growth in Sanford over the same period.

Lewiston, ME

+46.0%

$169,530 (2019) → $247,470 (2025)

Sanford, ME

+12.7%

$195,391 (2024) → $220,132 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Lewiston or Sanford?

Lewiston has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $260,338/year, compared to Sanford at $231,579/year — a difference of $28,759 (12.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lewiston and Sanford?

Lewiston nurse anesthetists earn $125.17/hr while Sanford hygienists earn $111.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lewiston to Sanford as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lewiston and Sanford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lewiston = $274,804, Sanford = $232,509), job availability (60 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Lewiston vs Sanford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $247,998 in Lewiston and $168,962 in Sanford. The Lewiston 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