Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

New Orleans vs Zachary: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between New Orleans, LA and Zachary, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Orleans, LA
$227,527
$109.39/hr
Zachary, LA
$212,792
$102.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Orleans, LAZachary, LA
Median Salary$227,527$212,792
Hourly Rate$109.39$102.31
Entry Level (P10)$220,815$154,357
25th Percentile$225,433$194,527
75th Percentile$287,270$250,567
Top Earner (P90)$404,810$294,919
Total Employed1906
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Orleans ($227,527) and Zachary ($212,792) nurse anesthetist salaries.New OrleansZacharyMedian Salary$227,527$212,792Entry Level (P10)$220,815$154,357Top Earner (P90)$404,810$294,919US Median $248,893

Verdict

New Orleans, LA offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Zachary.

The salary gap between New Orleans and Zachary is $14,735 (6.92%). New Orleans's median is -8.58% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Orleans spans $183,995,Zachary spans $140,562. New Orleans has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Orleans
P10 (Entry)$220,815
P25$225,433
Median$227,527
P75$287,270
P90 (Top)$404,810
Zachary
P10 (Entry)$154,357
P25$194,527
Median$212,792
P75$250,567
P90 (Top)$294,919

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Orleans ($245,717 effective) pays 4.27% more than Zachary ($235,650 effective).

New Orleans
Nominal: $227,527
CoL Index: 92.597
Adjusted: $245,717
Zachary
Nominal: $212,792
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $235,650

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Orleans if…

  • Higher median salary ($227,527/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($404,810)
  • Larger job market (190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $245,717)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Zachary if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in New Orleans grew 40.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.5% growth in Zachary over the same period.

New Orleans, LA

+40.2%

$154,280 (2019) → $216,280 (2025)

Zachary, LA

+17.5%

$172,164 (2024) → $202,274 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: New Orleans or Zachary?

New Orleans has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $227,527/year, compared to Zachary at $212,792/year — a difference of $14,735 (6.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Orleans and Zachary?

New Orleans nurse anesthetists earn $109.39/hr while Zachary hygienists earn $102.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Orleans to Zachary as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Orleans and Zachary. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Orleans = $245,717, Zachary = $235,650), job availability (190 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in New Orleans vs Zachary?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $220,815 in New Orleans and $154,357 in Zachary. The New Orleans 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