Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Merrillville, IN: $104.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Merrillville, IN runs $104.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $217,980 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Merrillville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $114.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $130,791 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Merrillville, Indiana, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay stands at a median of $104.80. This figure is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $119.66, indicating a variance that those in the profession may want to consider when evaluating their opportunities. For professionals working part-time, such as those in main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and OB suites, the hourly rate presents a viable option to balance personal and professional commitments. For a per-diem nurse anesthetist, the hourly rate allows for flexibility while earning significantly across diverse environments like chronic pain clinics and military facilities. In Merrillville, the hourly wage varies substantially, with entry-level positions starting around $70.55 and top earners in the field making as much as $146.07, providing a spectrum for employment decisions.
About the Merrillville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70.55 | $564.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91.92 | $735.39 |
| Median (P50) | $104.80 | $838.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129.31 | $1034.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146.07 | $1168.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merrillville
Based on $104.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $104.80/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merrillville, IN can expect to earn approximately $217,984 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $125,760. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Merrillville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merrillville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $4,192.01 | $18,165 | $217,984 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,515.21 | $10,899 | $130,791 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,676.80 | $7,266 | $87,194 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Merrillville) | $104.80 |
| 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 Merrillville, IN earn a median of $217,980 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.42% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 4.10% below the Indiana state average of $227,299.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $104.80/hr = $130,791/year (purchasing power: $143,254).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $217,984/year (purchasing power: $238,756).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$73.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$99.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$104.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Merrillville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $77.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $82.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $85.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $89.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $88.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $99.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Merrillville grew 35.4% from $73.60/hr (2019) to $99.62/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $110.25/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 Merrillville 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 Merrillville
Examining the part-time potential, a nurse anesthetist working three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, could earn approximately $63,000 annually, a figure that reflects the hourly dynamics of this field. The landscape for per-diem or locum tenens positions can be even more lucrative, with CRNAs billing anywhere from $200 to $350 per hour, particularly in premium markets, and earning up to $1,500 to $2,500 for full-week assignments. In Merrillville, the type of employer influences earnings considerably; hospital systems and ambulatory surgery centers may offer stability with benefits, whereas CRNA-owned practices and locum agencies could provide flexibility and potentially higher pay at the cost of benefits. This variation in compensation emphasizes the importance of understanding the trade-offs related to hourly rates versus benefits, particularly for CRNAs looking to negotiate their contracts effectively in this evolving market.
More salary data for Merrillville, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Merrillville in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse anesthetists make in Merrillville?
Are nurse anesthetists in Merrillville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time nurse anesthetist make per year in Merrillville?
Do nurse anesthetists earn more per hour working part-time in Merrillville?
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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 Merrillville. 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 Merrillville 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