Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Louisville/Jefferson County vs Louisville: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Louisville/Jefferson County, KY and Louisville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$234,091
$112.54/hr
Louisville, KY
$242,318
$116.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLouisville/Jefferson County, KYLouisville, KY
Median Salary$234,091$242,318
Hourly Rate$112.54$116.50
Entry Level (P10)$222,814$146,311
25th Percentile$222,814$201,105
75th Percentile$234,102$307,550
Top Earner (P90)$326,625$359,914
Total Employed710132
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Louisville/Jefferson County ($234,091) and Louisville ($242,318) nurse anesthetist salaries.Louisville/Jefferson CountyLouisvilleMedian Salary$234,091$242,318Entry Level (P10)$222,814$146,311Top Earner (P90)$326,625$359,914US Median $248,893

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Louisville/Jefferson County.

The salary gap between Louisville/Jefferson County and Louisville is $8,227 (3.51%). Louisville's median is -2.64% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Louisville/Jefferson County spans $103,811,Louisville spans $213,603. Louisville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Louisville/Jefferson County
P10 (Entry)$222,814
P25$222,814
Median$234,091
P75$234,102
P90 (Top)$326,625
Louisville
P10 (Entry)$146,311
P25$201,105
Median$242,318
P75$307,550
P90 (Top)$359,914

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($271,353 effective) pays 7.89% more than Louisville/Jefferson County ($251,511 effective).

Louisville/Jefferson County
Nominal: $234,091
CoL Index: 93.074
Adjusted: $251,511
Louisville
Nominal: $242,318
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $271,353

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…

  • Larger job market (710 employed)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($242,318/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($359,914)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $271,353)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 49.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.7% growth in Louisville over the same period.

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY

+49.5%

$148,810 (2019) → $222,520 (2025)

Louisville, KY

+13.7%

$202,505 (2024) → $230,340 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Louisville/Jefferson County or Louisville?

Louisville has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $242,318/year, compared to Louisville/Jefferson County at $234,091/year — a difference of $8,227 (3.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville/Jefferson County and Louisville?

Louisville/Jefferson County nurse anesthetists earn $112.54/hr while Louisville hygienists earn $116.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Louisville/Jefferson County to Louisville as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Louisville/Jefferson County and Louisville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Louisville/Jefferson County = $251,511, Louisville = $271,353), job availability (710 vs 132 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Louisville/Jefferson County vs Louisville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $222,814 in Louisville/Jefferson County and $146,311 in Louisville. The Louisville/Jefferson County 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