Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Laurel, MS: $141,459 (2026)

Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Laurel, MS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $141,459 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Laurel's local price level (BEA RPP 85.714% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $165,063 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($197,271) within a few years of clinical practice.

$141,459
Starting Salary
$68.01/hr
Starting Hourly
$141,459
Entry Level
$197,271
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Nurse Anesthetist Entry Level Salary in Laurel, MS — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Laurel, MS nurse anesthetist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Laurel, Mississippi, new graduates entering the field of nurse anesthesia can expect a starting pay of approximately $141,459, with realistic expectations of salary growth over their early career years. This entry-level figure sits below the city's median annual salary for nurse anesthetists at $197,271, highlighting a significant gap that many may find challenging. However, the industry does present a solid growth trajectory; the progression from the P10 to the P25 salary indicates that early-career professionals can anticipate moving towards earnings around $178,990 as they gain experience. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.20%, Laurel represents a viable market for new CRNAs entering the workforce in 2026, as the demand for anesthesia services in the region continues to rise.

About the Laurel Market

Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($205,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Laurel

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$141,459/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$178,990/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$197,271/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$238,460/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for nurse anesthetists in Laurel. The median salary is $197,271, compared to the national median of $248,893.$127.3K$164.9K$202.6K$240.2K$277.8K$141.5K10th Pctl$179.0K25th Pctl$197.3KMedian$238.5K75th Pctl$264.6K90th PctlUS Median$248.9K

Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Laurel, MS typically start between $141,459 and $178,990 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $123,137 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $197,27120.74% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of nurse anesthetist pay in the Laurel metro area.

Return on Investment

$65,000
Avg MS Program Cost
$141,459
Starting Salary
45.95%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average nursing program cost in Mississippi of $65,000 represents just 45.95% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($141,459/year) in Laurel. 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 Laurel

  • 1Research the Laurel market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $141,459 to $178,990, 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 Laurel, 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 Laurel for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Laurel'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 Laurel is $123,137 ( 87.05%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $141,459, experienced hygienists can earn up to $264,596.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$110,415

2025 BLS Actual

$134,467

2026 Current Est.

$141,459

2019–2027 Growth

+34.8%

Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Laurel (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for nurse anesthetists in Laurel. Baseline $110,415 in 2025, projected to $148,815 by 2027.$101.5K$115.3K$129.1K$142.9K$156.7K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$110.4K$116.0K$114.2K$124.6K$121.2K$109.4K$134.5K$141.5K$148.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$110,415Actual
2020$116,036Actual
2021$114,191Actual
2022$124,610Actual
2023$121,241Actual
2024$109,357Actual
2025$134,467Actual
2026(current)$141,459Estimated
2027$148,815Projected

Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Laurel, MS grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $110,415 in 2019 to $134,467 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $148,815. New graduates entering the Laurel job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Laurel

Employers in Laurel that typically hire new grad nurse anesthetists include large hospital systems and outpatient surgery centers, with the former often offering structured transition-to-practice programs. These avenues provide valuable exposure to diverse case mixes, such as pediatric and cardiac anesthesia. Credentialing plays a vital role in boosting starting salaries; obtaining a CRNA license from the state and achieving NBCRNA certification can enhance employment prospects and pay. Additionally, pursuing optional fellowships or advanced degrees like the DNP or DNAP can further elevate one’s early career trajectory. The practice environment in Mississippi, which generally follows the Anesthesia Care Team model, means that new graduates should prepare to work in collaborative settings initially before leveraging their experience to practice independently in opt-out states. In the first few years, realistic salary growth can steadily progress, aligning with incremental professional expertise and adaptability in a growing field like anesthesia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for nurse anesthetists in Laurel in 2026?

Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Laurel start at approximately $141,459/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.20% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $68.01/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do nurse anesthetist salaries grow in Laurel?

Most nurse anesthetists in Laurel progress from the entry-level salary of $141,459 to the area median of $197,271 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $264,596 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is nursing school worth it in Laurel?

With a starting salary of $141,459/year in Laurel and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new nurse anesthetists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new nurse anesthetists make right out of school in Laurel?

New nursing graduates in Laurel typically start near the 10th percentile at $141,459/year, or approximately $68.01/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a nurse anesthetist in Mississippi?

To become a licensed nurse anesthetist in Mississippi, you typically need master's degree in nurse anesthesia., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Mississippi, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some nurse anesthetists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Mississippi

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

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 Laurel. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Laurel is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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