Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

St. Louis vs Wildwood: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between St. Louis, MO and Wildwood, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

St. Louis, MO
$244,380
$117.49/hr
Wildwood, MO
$221,237
$106.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSt. Louis, MOWildwood, MO
Median Salary$244,380$221,237
Hourly Rate$117.49$106.37
Entry Level (P10)$226,159$149,446
25th Percentile$226,169$194,615
75th Percentile$330,307$268,557
Top Earner (P90)$350,106$301,403
Total Employed6505
Side-by-side bar chart comparing St. Louis ($244,380) and Wildwood ($221,237) nurse anesthetist salaries.St. LouisWildwoodMedian Salary$244,380$221,237Entry Level (P10)$226,159$149,446Top Earner (P90)$350,106$301,403US Median $248,893

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Wildwood.

The salary gap between St. Louis and Wildwood is $23,143 (10.46%). St. Louis's median is -1.81% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in St. Louis spans $123,947,Wildwood spans $151,957. Wildwood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$226,159
P25$226,169
Median$244,380
P75$330,307
P90 (Top)$350,106
Wildwood
P10 (Entry)$149,446
P25$194,615
Median$221,237
P75$268,557
P90 (Top)$301,403

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($257,004 effective) pays 4.09% more than Wildwood ($246,916 effective).

St. Louis
Nominal: $244,380
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $257,004
Wildwood
Nominal: $221,237
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $246,916

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($244,380/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($350,106)
  • Larger job market (650 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $257,004)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Wildwood if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in St. Louis grew 43.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.0% growth in Wildwood over the same period.

St. Louis, MO

+43.9%

$161,410 (2019) → $232,300 (2025)

Wildwood, MO

+10.0%

$191,110 (2024) → $210,301 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: St. Louis or Wildwood?

St. Louis has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $244,380/year, compared to Wildwood at $221,237/year — a difference of $23,143 (10.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between St. Louis and Wildwood?

St. Louis nurse anesthetists earn $117.49/hr while Wildwood hygienists earn $106.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from St. Louis to Wildwood as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing St. Louis and Wildwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: St. Louis = $257,004, Wildwood = $246,916), job availability (650 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in St. Louis vs Wildwood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $226,159 in St. Louis and $149,446 in Wildwood. The St. Louis 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