Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

North Charleston vs Summerville: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between North Charleston, SC and Summerville, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Charleston, SC
$245,765
$118.16/hr
Summerville, SC
$222,980
$107.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Charleston, SCSummerville, SC
Median Salary$245,765$222,980
Hourly Rate$118.16$107.20
Entry Level (P10)$149,550$152,128
25th Percentile$219,674$197,524
75th Percentile$305,341$283,914
Top Earner (P90)$352,038$329,156
Total Employed2212
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Charleston ($245,765) and Summerville ($222,980) nurse anesthetist salaries.North CharlestonSummervilleMedian Salary$245,765$222,980Entry Level (P10)$149,550$152,128Top Earner (P90)$352,038$329,156US Median $248,893

Verdict

North Charleston, SC offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Summerville.

The salary gap between North Charleston and Summerville is $22,785 (10.22%). North Charleston's median is -1.26% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Charleston spans $202,488,Summerville spans $177,028. North Charleston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

North Charleston
P10 (Entry)$149,550
P25$219,674
Median$245,765
P75$305,341
P90 (Top)$352,038
Summerville
P10 (Entry)$152,128
P25$197,524
Median$222,980
P75$283,914
P90 (Top)$329,156

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, North Charleston ($268,596 effective) pays 10.22% more than Summerville ($243,694 effective).

North Charleston
Nominal: $245,765
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $268,596
Summerville
Nominal: $222,980
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $243,694

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Charleston if…

  • Higher median salary ($245,765/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($352,038)
  • Larger job market (22 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $268,596)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Summerville if…

  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in North Charleston grew 19.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.7% growth in Summerville over the same period.

North Charleston, SC

+19.0%

$196,321 (2024) → $233,617 (2025)

Summerville, SC

+13.7%

$186,344 (2024) → $211,958 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: North Charleston or Summerville?

North Charleston has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $245,765/year, compared to Summerville at $222,980/year — a difference of $22,785 (10.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Charleston and Summerville?

North Charleston nurse anesthetists earn $118.16/hr while Summerville hygienists earn $107.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Charleston to Summerville as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Charleston and Summerville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Charleston = $268,596, Summerville = $243,694), job availability (22 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in North Charleston vs Summerville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $149,550 in North Charleston and $152,128 in Summerville. The Summerville 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