Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Decatur, AL: $97.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Decatur, AL runs $97.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $202,577 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Decatur's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $110.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $121,548 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Decatur, Alabama, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay is projected to be $97.39 per hour in 2026. This figure falls short of the national median hourly rate of $119.66, indicating a significant gap for practitioners in the area. For those considering part-time opportunities, working three days a week at this rate can yield a considerable income, especially in settings such as main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and dental anesthesia clinics. Entry-level positions might start around $62.13 per hour, while more experienced providers can earn up to $138.25 per hour. The variety within hourly rates reflects the different qualifications and specialty areas of nurse anesthetists working in Decatur, showcasing the range of potential for practitioners across various healthcare landscapes.
About the Decatur Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($198,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62.13 | $497.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83.12 | $664.95 |
| Median (P50) | $97.39 | $779.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120.93 | $967.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138.25 | $1106.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Decatur
Based on $97.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $97.39/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Decatur, AL can expect to earn approximately $202,580 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $116,873. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Decatur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Decatur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,895.77 | $16,882 | $202,580 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,337.46 | $10,129 | $121,548 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,558.31 | $6,753 | $81,032 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Decatur) | $97.39 |
| 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 Decatur, AL earn a median of $202,577 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.61% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 0.20% above the Alabama state average of $202,173.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $97.39/hr = $121,548/year (purchasing power: $138,280).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $202,580/year (purchasing power: $230,466).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$68.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$92.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$97.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $71.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $76.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $79.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $83.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $83.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $92.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Decatur grew 35.4% from $68.40/hr (2019) to $92.58/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $102.46/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 Decatur 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 Decatur
Part-time nurse anesthetists in Decatur, working approximately 24 hours per week, can expect to bring home an annual income of around $121,000, significantly less than full-time counterparts. This stark difference highlights the financial dynamics that dictate choices in this profession, especially as many CRNAs engage in per diem or agency assignments where compensation can soar. Locum tenens CRNAs, for instance, often command rates between $200 and $350 per hour in more competitive markets, and those on full-week contracts can earn daily rates from $1,500 to $2,500, all while agencies frequently cover associated expenses. In Decatur, nurse anesthetists face varying hourly rates depending on employer types, from hospital systems to chronic pain management clinics. While a consistent W-2 position might offer stability and benefits, many may accept lower hourly pay for health insurance coverage over contract work, which typically comes with fewer benefits but higher pay. Thus, practical negotiation strategies become essential for hourly workers to appropriately position themselves in this evolving field.
More salary data for Decatur, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Decatur in 2026?
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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 Decatur. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Decatur 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