Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Pittsburgh vs Allentown: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Pittsburgh, PA and Allentown, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Pittsburgh, PA
$235,196
$113.08/hr
Allentown, PA
$222,109
$106.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPittsburgh, PAAllentown, PA
Median Salary$235,196$222,109
Hourly Rate$113.08$106.78
Entry Level (P10)$203,267$222,109
25th Percentile$205,708$222,109
75th Percentile$241,644$241,013
Top Earner (P90)$281,873$356,670
Total Employed500440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Pittsburgh ($235,196) and Allentown ($222,109) nurse anesthetist salaries.PittsburghAllentownMedian Salary$235,196$222,109Entry Level (P10)$203,267$222,109Top Earner (P90)$281,873$356,670US Median $248,893

Verdict

Pittsburgh, PA offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Allentown.

The salary gap between Pittsburgh and Allentown is $13,087 (5.89%). Pittsburgh's median is -5.50% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Pittsburgh spans $78,606,Allentown spans $134,561. Allentown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Pittsburgh
P10 (Entry)$203,267
P25$205,708
Median$235,196
P75$241,644
P90 (Top)$281,873
Allentown
P10 (Entry)$222,109
P25$222,109
Median$222,109
P75$241,013
P90 (Top)$356,670

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pittsburgh ($248,435 effective) pays 11.82% more than Allentown ($222,180 effective).

Pittsburgh
Nominal: $235,196
CoL Index: 94.671
Adjusted: $248,435
Allentown
Nominal: $222,109
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $222,180

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Pittsburgh if…

  • Higher median salary ($235,196/year)
  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $248,435)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Allentown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($356,670)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Pittsburgh grew 31.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 31.3% growth in Allentown over the same period.

Pittsburgh, PA

+31.3%

$170,320 (2019) → $223,570 (2025)

Allentown, PA

+31.3%

$160,840 (2019) → $211,130 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Pittsburgh or Allentown?

Pittsburgh has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $235,196/year, compared to Allentown at $222,109/year — a difference of $13,087 (5.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Pittsburgh and Allentown?

Pittsburgh nurse anesthetists earn $113.08/hr while Allentown hygienists earn $106.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Pittsburgh to Allentown as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Pittsburgh and Allentown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Pittsburgh = $248,435, Allentown = $222,180), job availability (500 vs 440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Pittsburgh vs Allentown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $203,267 in Pittsburgh and $222,109 in Allentown. The Allentown 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