Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Portland, ME: $129.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Portland, ME runs $129.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $269,964 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.9, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $127.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $161,985 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Portland, Maine, the projected nurse anesthetist hourly pay for 2026 is $129.80, representing a notable increase compared to the national hourly median of $119.66. For nurse anesthetists working in various settings like main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, OB suites, and military facilities, this competitive rate allows for substantial earnings even on part-time schedules. A part-time nurse anesthetist working three days a week could earn a significant hourly rate, falling within a broader range of $89.58 at entry-level to up to $173.77 for experienced practitioners. These figures, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, illustrate the financial viability of pursuing a career in this essential healthcare role in Portland.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $89.58 | $716.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113.73 | $909.85 |
| Median (P50) | $129.80 | $1038.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138.66 | $1109.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173.77 | $1390.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $129.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $129.80/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, ME can expect to earn approximately $269,975 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $155,755. With a cost-of-living index of 101.86 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $5,191.83 | $22,498 | $269,975 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $3,115.10 | $13,499 | $161,985 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $2,076.73 | $8,999 | $107,990 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Portland) | $129.80 |
| 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 Portland, ME earn a median of $269,964 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.47% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 8.90% above the Maine state average of $247,901.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $129.80/hr = $161,985/year (purchasing power: $159,030).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $269,975/year (purchasing power: $265,051).
CoL index: 101.858 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$93.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$123.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$129.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $95.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $94.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $105.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $105.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $101.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $123.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Portland grew 32.5% from $93.11/hr (2019) to $123.38/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $136.55/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 Portland 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 Portland
The earning potential for part-time CRNAs in Portland can be quite favorable; working 24 hours a week translates into a considerable annual income that might still exceed some full-time salaries in other professions. Those opting for per diem opportunities can command even higher rates, with locum tenens CRNAs billing between $200 and $350 per hour in premium markets, plus daily assignments ranging from $1,500 to $2,500. This flexibility allows professionals to choose opportunities across various employer types in the Portland area, including hospital systems and CRNA-owned anesthesia groups, with the choice between W-2 or 1099 employment impacting overall pay and benefits. While some may accept lower hourly rates for positions offering health insurance and stable hours, others may prefer higher pay without benefits for the flexibility it provides. To maximize earnings, nurse anesthetists should know how to negotiate their hourly rates, particularly considering industry standards and local demand, while being aware of the benefits and drawbacks of different employment setups.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Portland in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse anesthetists make in Portland?
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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 Portland. 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, 6-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