Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Gulfport, MS: $204,309 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Gulfport, MS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $204,309 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Gulfport's local price level (BEA RPP 90.0 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $226,995 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($242,128) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the nurse anesthetist field in Gulfport, Mississippi, can expect starting salaries around $204,309. While this figure is significantly below the city median of $242,128, it reflects a solid foundation for early-career professionals. The first few years will see realistic growth as entry-level salaries typically trend upward from the tenth percentile to the twenty-fifth percentile, where new nurse anesthetists may find salary ranges improving with experience, leading toward the median over 3-5 years. Given the decent starting salary and an annual growth rate of 5.20%, Gulfport presents an encouraging market for new grads committed to advancing their careers in anesthesia.
Career Earnings Timeline in Gulfport
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gulfport
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Gulfport, MS typically start between $204,309 and $210,158 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $88,452 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $242,128 — 2.72% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Mississippi of $65,000 represents just 31.81% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($204,309/year) in Gulfport. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on COA-accredited (Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs) DNP/DNAP program data and AANA member tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary significantly by institution type (public vs. private university) and residency status. Most programs require 1+ years ICU RN experience before admission.
CRNA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Gulfport
- 1Research the Gulfport market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $204,309 to $210,158, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in MS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Gulfport, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Gulfport for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Gulfport's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Nurse Anesthetist Compensation Range
The nurse anesthetist wage spread in Gulfport is $88,452 ( 43.29%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $204,309, experienced hygienists can earn up to $292,761.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$152,450
2025 BLS Actual
$194,210
2026 Current Est.
$204,309
2019–2027 Growth
+41.0%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Gulfport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $152,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $148,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $168,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $185,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $192,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $194,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $204,309 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $214,933 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Gulfport, MS grew 27.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $152,450 in 2019 to $194,210 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $214,933. New graduates entering the Gulfport job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gulfport metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Gulfport
Employers in Gulfport are increasingly interested in hiring newly minted CRNAs, especially within large hospital systems and academic medical centers known for their diverse case mix including pediatric, cardiac, and transplant anesthesia. Many of these facilities have implemented formal transition-to-practice programs which provide essential support as newly licensed professionals acclimate to their roles. To optimize their starting pay, new graduates should prioritize obtaining their CRNA license, along with certification from NBCRNA, which involves recertifying every eight years. Engaging in optional fellowships—particularly in cardiac or pediatric anesthesia—can further enhance earning potential and set the stage for sustained career development. In Gulfport, first-year CRNAs can reasonably anticipate salary growth as they adjust to workplace demands, making strategic moves within the local healthcare community critical to leveraging career opportunities in this evolving profession.
More salary data for Gulfport, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Gulfport. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov