Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Lexington, KY: $122.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Lexington, KY runs $122.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $255,320 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Lexington's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $132.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $153,189 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lexington, Kentucky, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay is projected to be $122.75 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $119.66. This competitive rate offers significant opportunities for both full-time and part-time positions in various healthcare settings, including main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, OB suites, and dental anesthesia clinics. For nurse anesthetists who choose to work three days a week, the hourly rate provides a solid income, while those opting for per diem roles can take advantage of high pay rates without long-term commitments. The hourly wage in Lexington ranges from $104.74 for entry-level CRNAs to $137.34 for more experienced practitioners, allowing for ample career growth and flexibility in income depending on individual circumstances. 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) | $104.74 | $837.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105.05 | $840.42 |
| Median (P50) | $122.75 | $981.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $137.34 | $1098.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137.34 | $1098.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lexington
Based on $122.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $122.75/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lexington, KY can expect to earn approximately $255,315 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $147,297. With a cost-of-living index of 92.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lexington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lexington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $4,909.89 | $21,276 | $255,315 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,945.94 | $12,766 | $153,189 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,963.96 | $8,510 | $102,126 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Lexington) | $122.75 |
| 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 Lexington, KY earn a median of $255,320 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.58% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 14.90% above the Kentucky state average of $222,211.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $122.75/hr = $153,189/year (purchasing power: $164,916).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $255,315/year (purchasing power: $274,860).
CoL index: 92.889 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$81.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$116.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$122.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $83.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $96.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $100.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $104.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $93.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $116.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Lexington grew 44.0% from $81.00/hr (2019) to $116.68/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $129.13/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 Lexington 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 Lexington
For those considering part-time work in the Lexington area, a nurse anesthetist operating on a three-day workweek would bring home a substantial income even when working fewer hours than full-time colleagues. This allows for a better work-life balance while still earning a significant salary. In contrast, per diem nurse anesthetist pay in Lexington can be particularly lucrative, with locum tenens CRNAs often charging between $200 and $350 per hour, or billing $1,500 to $2,500 for full-week assignments. The hourly rates can vary greatly based on employer type, with hospital systems typically offering W-2 employment benefits, while CRNA-owned group practices and ambulatory surgery centers may offer both W-2 and 1099 options. Accepting lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits is a common trade-off that some CRNAs face, and negotiating can be key. Those interested in maximizing their hourly pay in Lexington should consider the overall compensation package, including benefits, when evaluating job offers, particularly in an environment with a projected annual growth rate of 5.20% for the field.
More salary data for Lexington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Lexington. 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, 4-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