Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Williamsburg, VA: $163,455 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Williamsburg, VA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $163,455 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Williamsburg's local price level (BEA RPP 103.2 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $158,387 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($243,233) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the nurse anesthetist field in Williamsburg, Virginia, can expect a starting salary around $163,455 in 2026. This figure is notably below the city’s median salary of $243,233, indicating a significant gap for those just beginning their careers. However, there is a clear growth trajectory, with the potential for salaries to reach approximately $212,722 within a few years as new grads gain experience and expertise. For early-career professionals in this market, Williamsburg currently presents a viable landscape for employment, fueled by a demand for skilled nurse anesthetists and a projected annual growth rate of 5.20% over the next five years.
About the Williamsburg Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Williamsburg
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 Williamsburg
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Williamsburg, VA typically start between $163,455 and $212,722 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $173,544 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $243,233 — 2.27% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Virginia of $110,000 represents just 67.30% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($163,455/year) in Williamsburg. 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 Williamsburg
- 1Research the Williamsburg market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $163,455 to $212,722, 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 VA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Williamsburg's moderate 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 Williamsburg is $173,544 ( 106.17%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $163,455, experienced hygienists can earn up to $336,999.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$127,583
2025 BLS Actual
$155,375
2026 Current Est.
$163,455
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Williamsburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,583 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,078 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,946 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,986 | Actual |
| 2023 | $140,093 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,943 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,375 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $163,455 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $171,954 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Williamsburg, VA grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $127,583 in 2019 to $155,375 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $171,954. New graduates entering the Williamsburg job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg
In Williamsburg, various healthcare employers actively seek newly minted nurse anesthetists, particularly academic medical centers and large hospital systems offering formal transition-to-practice programs. These institutions provide a robust case mix, including cardiac, pediatric, and transplant cases, which can enhance a new grad's skill set and confidence. Certifications, like the CRNA license and NBCRNA credential, are essential for establishing credibility, with opportunities for advancement through optional fellowships and terminal degrees like the DNP or DNAP. The potential for first-year and beyond income growth remains promising, especially in regions where CRNAs can practice independently under the opt-out model; however, those navigating the Anesthesia Care Team model may experience salary dynamics through collaboration with supervising anesthesiologists. Careful planning around continuing education and strategic job placement can significantly impact salaries and career trajectories for new nurse anesthetists in VA.
More salary data for Williamsburg, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for nurse anesthetists in Williamsburg in 2026?
How fast do nurse anesthetist salaries grow in Williamsburg?
Is nursing school worth it in Williamsburg?
What do new nurse anesthetists make right out of school in Williamsburg?
How do I become a nurse anesthetist in Virginia?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 Williamsburg. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Williamsburg 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