Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Memphis vs Nashville: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Memphis, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Memphis, TN
$255,888
$123.02/hr
Nashville, TN
$222,445
$106.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMemphis, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$255,888$222,445
Hourly Rate$123.02$106.95
Entry Level (P10)$193,747$160,083
25th Percentile$212,704$202,941
75th Percentile$257,782$225,444
Top Earner (P90)$259,286$318,177
Total Employed200830
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Memphis ($255,888) and Nashville ($222,445) nurse anesthetist salaries.MemphisNashvilleMedian Salary$255,888$222,445Entry Level (P10)$193,747$160,083Top Earner (P90)$259,286$318,177US Median $248,893

Verdict

Memphis and Nashville are closely matched on overall nurse anesthetist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Memphis and Nashville is $33,443 (15.03%). Memphis's median is +2.81% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Memphis spans $65,539,Nashville spans $158,094. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Memphis
P10 (Entry)$193,747
P25$212,704
Median$255,888
P75$257,782
P90 (Top)$259,286
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$160,083
P25$202,941
Median$222,445
P75$225,444
P90 (Top)$318,177

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Memphis ($277,599 effective) pays 20.22% more than Nashville ($230,901 effective).

Memphis
Nominal: $255,888
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $277,599
Nashville
Nominal: $222,445
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $230,901

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Memphis if…

  • Higher median salary ($255,888/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $277,599)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($318,177)
  • Larger job market (830 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Memphis grew 48.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 36.4% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Memphis, TN

+48.1%

$164,220 (2019) → $243,240 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+36.4%

$154,990 (2019) → $211,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Memphis or Nashville?

Memphis has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $255,888/year, compared to Nashville at $222,445/year — a difference of $33,443 (15.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Memphis and Nashville?

Memphis nurse anesthetists earn $123.02/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $106.95/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Memphis to Nashville as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Memphis and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Memphis = $277,599, Nashville = $230,901), job availability (200 vs 830 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Memphis vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $193,747 in Memphis and $160,083 in Nashville. The Memphis 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