Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Concord, NC: $187,955 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Concord, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $187,955 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Concord's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $200,807 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($296,760) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Entering the field of nurse anesthesia in Concord, North Carolina presents compelling opportunities for new graduates. In 2026, the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in this region is projected to start around $187,955, which is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $296,760. However, this initial salary is a launching point, with potential growth within the first few years as new practitioners often progress towards the P25 salary of $252,309. The overall market in Concord appears supportive of new grads, especially given the estimated annual growth rate of 5.20% anticipated over the coming years. Entry-level positions in this area provide a solid foundation for developing professional skills and advancing one's career trajectory.
About the Concord Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Concord
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 Concord
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Concord, NC typically start between $187,955 and $252,309 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $245,169 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $296,760 — 19.23% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in North Carolina of $85,000 represents just 45.22% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($187,955/year) in Concord. 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 Concord
- 1Research the Concord market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $187,955 to $252,309, 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 NC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Concord, 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 Concord for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Concord'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 Concord is $245,169 ( 130.44%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $187,955, experienced hygienists can earn up to $433,124.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$146,706
2025 BLS Actual
$178,664
2026 Current Est.
$187,955
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Concord (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $146,706 | Actual |
| 2020 | $154,175 | Actual |
| 2021 | $151,723 | Actual |
| 2022 | $165,568 | Actual |
| 2023 | $161,091 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,605 | Actual |
| 2025 | $178,664 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $187,955 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $197,728 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Concord, NC grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $146,706 in 2019 to $178,664 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $197,728. New graduates entering the Concord job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Concord 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 Concord
||| Concord hosts various employment opportunities for newly minted nurse anesthetists, with local academic medical centers typically offering an expansive range of cases that include cardiac, pediatric, and transplant anesthesia. Many large hospital systems in the area have established formal transition-to-practice programs tailored for new graduates, helping to ease their entry into the profession. Obtaining a CRNA license through the North Carolina Board of Nursing, along with NBCRNA certification, is vital for enhancing starting salaries. Furthermore, pursuing additional credentials such as fellowships in specialized areas like cardiac or pediatric anesthesia can elevate one’s qualifications in a competitive market. In the early years of practice, new nurse anesthetists may see their salaries grow incrementally as they gain experience, and those in states adhering to the Anesthesia Care Team model will often work closely under medical direction, while also contemplating the independent practice opportunities available in federal opt-out states.
More salary data for Concord, NC:
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 Concord. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Concord is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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