Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Louisville, KY: $116.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Louisville, KY runs $116.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $242,318 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Louisville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $130.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $145,390 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Louisville, Kentucky, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay is projected to be $116.50 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $119.66. For professionals in this field, this hourly rate translates into different economic realities based on their work arrangements, whether part-time, full-time, or per diem roles. For instance, a nurse anesthetist working three days a week may find this rate quite significant, especially when working in diverse environments such as main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, or even dental anesthesia clinics. The hourly compensation can range from $70.34 for entry-level positions to as high as $173.03 for top earners in the area, illustrating the wide scope of earning potential for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) in Louisville.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($208,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70.34 | $562.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96.69 | $773.51 |
| Median (P50) | $116.50 | $931.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $147.86 | $1182.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173.03 | $1384.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville
Based on $116.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $116.50/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville, KY can expect to earn approximately $242,317 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $139,798. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $4,659.94 | $20,193 | $242,317 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,795.96 | $12,116 | $145,390 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,863.98 | $8,077 | $96,927 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Louisville) | $116.50 |
| 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 Louisville, KY earn a median of $242,318 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.64% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $222,310.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $116.50/hr = $145,390/year (purchasing power: $162,811).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $242,317/year (purchasing power: $271,351).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$81.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$110.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$116.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $85.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $91.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $95.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $99.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $97.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $110.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Louisville grew 35.4% from $81.81/hr (2019) to $110.74/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $122.56/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 Louisville 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 Louisville
Part-time nurse anesthetists have unique earning dynamics compared to their full-time counterparts. For example, working 24 hours over three days a week can lead to an annual take-home that significantly differs from full-time employment, thus impacting lifestyle choices and financial planning. Meanwhile, per diem nurse anesthetist pay in Louisville often attracts attention since different market demands can enable them to earn over $200 to $350 per hour in premium settings or negotiate daily rates that can range between $1,500 and $2,500 for week-long assignments. Hourly rates vary widely among employer types, from W-2 positions in hospital systems to 1099 options with locum tenens agencies. Additionally, some nurse anesthetists might accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, while others prioritize higher pay without benefits. Understanding these trade-offs can offer valuable insights for negotiation and career planning within the Louisville environment.
More salary data for Louisville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Louisville in 2026?
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Related Pages
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Career Resources
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 Louisville. 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 Louisville 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