Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Madison vs Racine: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Madison, WI and Racine, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Madison, WI
$298,747
$143.63/hr
Racine, WI
$280,026
$134.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIRacine, WI
Median Salary$298,747$280,026
Hourly Rate$143.63$134.62
Entry Level (P10)$235,322$194,452
25th Percentile$245,726$250,612
75th Percentile$300,988$353,404
Top Earner (P90)$341,889$406,691
Total Employed15013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($298,747) and Racine ($280,026) nurse anesthetist salaries.MadisonRacineMedian Salary$298,747$280,026Entry Level (P10)$235,322$194,452Top Earner (P90)$341,889$406,691US Median $248,893

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Racine.

The salary gap between Madison and Racine is $18,721 (6.69%). Madison's median is +20.03% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $106,567,Racine spans $212,239. Racine has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$235,322
P25$245,726
Median$298,747
P75$300,988
P90 (Top)$341,889
Racine
P10 (Entry)$194,452
P25$250,612
Median$280,026
P75$353,404
P90 (Top)$406,691

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($307,078 effective) pays 2.42% more than Racine ($299,814 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $298,747
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $307,078
Racine
Nominal: $280,026
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $299,814

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($298,747/year)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $307,078)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Racine if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($406,691)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Madison grew 45.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.4% growth in Racine over the same period.

Madison, WI

+45.9%

$194,690 (2019) → $283,980 (2025)

Racine, WI

+28.4%

$207,341 (2024) → $266,184 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Madison or Racine?

Madison has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $298,747/year, compared to Racine at $280,026/year — a difference of $18,721 (6.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Racine?

Madison nurse anesthetists earn $143.63/hr while Racine hygienists earn $134.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Racine as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Racine. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $307,078, Racine = $299,814), job availability (150 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Madison vs Racine?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $235,322 in Madison and $194,452 in Racine. The Madison 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