Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Brentwood, TN: $156,993 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Brentwood, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $156,993 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Brentwood's local price level (BEA RPP 91.8 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $171,016 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($220,397) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

For new graduates entering the nurse anesthetist field in Brentwood, Tennessee, the starting nurse anesthetist salary is projected to begin at about $156,993 in 2026, presenting a realistic entry point for recent DNP or DNAP program completers. While this figure is approximately 28.7% below the city's median annual salary of $220,397, it indicates that early-career CRNAs have a pathway toward substantial financial growth. Over the first 3-5 years, starting salaries may rise to around $194,795 at the 25th percentile, allowing new nurse anesthetists to gain valuable experience and expertise. Given Brentwood's competitive healthcare landscape and supportive job market, including current hiring trends, this city is an advantageous location for graduates entering the profession.
About the Brentwood Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($208,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Brentwood
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 Brentwood
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Brentwood, TN typically start between $156,993 and $194,795 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $153,118 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $220,397 — 11.45% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Tennessee of $85,000 represents just 54.14% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($156,993/year) in Brentwood. 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 Brentwood
- 1Research the Brentwood market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $156,993 to $194,795, 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 TN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Brentwood, 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 Brentwood for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Brentwood'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 Brentwood is $153,118 ( 97.53%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $156,993, experienced hygienists can earn up to $310,111.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$122,539
2025 BLS Actual
$149,233
2026 Current Est.
$156,993
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Brentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,539 | Actual |
| 2020 | $128,778 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $138,294 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,555 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,339 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,233 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $156,993 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $165,157 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Brentwood, TN grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $122,539 in 2019 to $149,233 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $165,157. New graduates entering the Brentwood job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brentwood 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 Brentwood
|||
Employers in Brentwood seeking to hire novice nurse anesthetists span various healthcare settings, with academic medical centers offering the widest array of experiences crucial for early-career practitioners. These facilities often engage new hires in diverse specialties such as cardiac, pediatric, and transplant anesthesia, providing a well-rounded foundation. Large hospital systems may also sponsor formal transition-to-practice programs, ensuring that new CRNAs receive proper mentorship and diverse clinical exposure. To enhance starting pay in TN, obtaining a CRNA license through the state board of nursing is essential, along with NBCRNA certification, which necessitates recertification every eight years via the CPC program. New graduates might also consider optional fellowships in specialized areas or pursue terminal degrees, which can further elevate their market value. As CRNAs in Tennessee operate under a unique hybrid model, where both independent practice and collaborative care with anesthesiologists exist, new grads should navigate these dynamics strategically to maximize their early career growth. In this environment, realistic salary increases in the first three years can reflect the advancements in skills and certifications obtained, shaping a promising future for those committed to this vital nursing specialty.
More salary data for Brentwood, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for nurse anesthetists in Brentwood in 2026?
How fast do nurse anesthetist salaries grow in Brentwood?
Is nursing school worth it in Brentwood?
What do new nurse anesthetists make right out of school in Brentwood?
How do I become a nurse anesthetist in Tennessee?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 Brentwood. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brentwood 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