Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Louisville vs Richmond: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Louisville, KY
$242,318
$116.50/hr
Richmond, KY
$218,844
$105.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLouisville, KYRichmond, KY
Median Salary$242,318$218,844
Hourly Rate$116.50$105.21
Entry Level (P10)$146,311$144,365
25th Percentile$201,105$190,457
75th Percentile$307,550$268,251
Top Earner (P90)$359,914$295,461
Total Employed1325
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Louisville ($242,318) and Richmond ($218,844) nurse anesthetist salaries.LouisvilleRichmondMedian Salary$242,318$218,844Entry Level (P10)$146,311$144,365Top Earner (P90)$359,914$295,461US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Louisville and Richmond is $23,474 (10.73%). 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,Richmond spans $151,096. 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
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$144,365
P25$190,457
Median$218,844
P75$268,251
P90 (Top)$295,461

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($271,353 effective) pays 10.73% more than Richmond ($245,066 effective).

Louisville
Nominal: $242,318
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $271,353
Richmond
Nominal: $218,844
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $245,066

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 Richmond 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 Richmond over the same period.

Louisville, KY

+13.7%

$202,505 (2024) → $230,340 (2025)

Richmond, KY

+13.7%

$182,889 (2024) → $208,027 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Louisville or Richmond?

Louisville has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $242,318/year, compared to Richmond at $218,844/year — a difference of $23,474 (10.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville and Richmond?

Louisville nurse anesthetists earn $116.50/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $105.21/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Louisville and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Louisville = $271,353, Richmond = $245,066), job availability (132 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $146,311 in Louisville and $144,365 in Richmond. 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