Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Louisville vs Nicholasville: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Louisville, KY
$242,318
$116.50/hr
Nicholasville, KY
$218,896
$105.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLouisville, KYNicholasville, KY
Median Salary$242,318$218,896
Hourly Rate$116.50$105.24
Entry Level (P10)$146,311$145,179
25th Percentile$201,105$190,609
75th Percentile$307,550$263,822
Top Earner (P90)$359,914$295,089
Total Employed1326
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Louisville ($242,318) and Nicholasville ($218,896) nurse anesthetist salaries.LouisvilleNicholasvilleMedian Salary$242,318$218,896Entry Level (P10)$146,311$145,179Top Earner (P90)$359,914$295,089US Median $248,893

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Nicholasville.

The salary gap between Louisville and Nicholasville is $23,422 (10.70%). 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 spans $213,603,Nicholasville spans $149,910. Louisville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Louisville
P10 (Entry)$146,311
P25$201,105
Median$242,318
P75$307,550
P90 (Top)$359,914
Nicholasville
P10 (Entry)$145,179
P25$190,609
Median$218,896
P75$263,822
P90 (Top)$295,089

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($271,353 effective) pays 10.70% more than Nicholasville ($245,124 effective).

Louisville
Nominal: $242,318
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $271,353
Nicholasville
Nominal: $218,896
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $245,124

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($242,318/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($359,914)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $271,353)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Nicholasville if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Louisville grew 13.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.7% growth in Nicholasville over the same period.

Louisville, KY

+13.7%

$202,505 (2024) → $230,340 (2025)

Nicholasville, KY

+13.7%

$182,932 (2024) → $208,076 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Louisville or Nicholasville?

Louisville has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $242,318/year, compared to Nicholasville at $218,896/year — a difference of $23,422 (10.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville and Nicholasville?

Louisville nurse anesthetists earn $116.50/hr while Nicholasville hygienists earn $105.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Louisville to Nicholasville as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Louisville and Nicholasville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Louisville = $271,353, Nicholasville = $245,124), job availability (132 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Louisville vs Nicholasville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $146,311 in Louisville and $145,179 in Nicholasville. The Louisville 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