Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Birmingham, AL: $88.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Birmingham, AL runs $88.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $184,994 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Birmingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $97.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $110,992 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Birmingham, Alabama, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay stands at approximately $88.94, which is notably lower than the national average of $119.66 per hour. This rate has significant implications for various work arrangements, particularly for part-time and per-diem nurse anesthetists. Those opting for a part-time schedule, such as three days a week, can expect flexibility while earning a consistent income. The hourly pay range in the area stretches from $51.31 for entry-level positions to $119.29 for those at the top of their profession. Typical employment settings include main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and chronic pain management clinics, where nurse anesthetists are integral to patient care and anesthesia delivery. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.31 | $410.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.31 | $410.45 |
| Median (P50) | $88.94 | $711.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106.96 | $855.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119.29 | $954.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Birmingham
Based on $88.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $88.94/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Birmingham, AL can expect to earn approximately $184,987 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $106,723. With a cost-of-living index of 91.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Birmingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Birmingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,557.44 | $15,416 | $184,987 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,134.47 | $9,249 | $110,992 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,422.98 | $6,166 | $73,995 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Birmingham) | $88.94 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $60.12 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $60.58 |
| Nurse Midwife (National Avg) | $63.01 |
| Anesthesiologist (National Avg) | $174.04 |
Nurse Anesthetists in Birmingham, AL earn a median of $184,994 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.67% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 8.50% below the Alabama state average of $202,179.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $88.94/hr = $110,992/year (purchasing power: $121,112).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $184,987/year (purchasing power: $201,854).
CoL index: 91.644 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$80.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$84.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$88.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Birmingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $89.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $81.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $87.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $78.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $74.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $84.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Birmingham grew 4.7% from $80.72/hr (2019) to $84.54/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $93.56/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse anesthetists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Birmingham 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.
Working as an Hourly Nurse Anesthetist in Birmingham
Exploring the financial landscape for a nurse anesthetist working part-time—approximately 24 hours a week—reveals that they would generate a considerably lower annual income compared to full-time peers. For many professionals in this field, per diem and locum tenens opportunities provide a more lucrative avenue, especially as they can command fees between $200 and $350 per hour in premium markets. These agency workers often benefit from additional perks like travel reimbursement and lodging. In Birmingham, hourly rates can vary significantly across employment types; for instance, hospital systems typically offer W-2 employment with benefits, while ambulatory surgery centers may provide more flexibility as W-2 or 1099 positions. The trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits versus lower rates with health insurance can influence many nurse anesthetists' decisions regarding their career paths. Effective negotiation strategies in Birmingham might involve highlighting specialized skills or unique value propositions to enhance earnings and align with market demands.
More salary data for Birmingham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Birmingham in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse anesthetists make in Birmingham?
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How much does a full-time nurse anesthetist make per year in Birmingham?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nurse anesthetists in Birmingham. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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