Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in South Portland, ME: $129.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in South Portland, ME runs $129.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $268,809 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against South Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $129.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $161,289 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In South Portland, Maine, nurse anesthetists earn a median hourly pay of $129.24, which surpasses the national hourly median of $119.66 by 8.00%. This strong pay level reflects the financial landscape for part-time and per diem workers in various clinical settings, including main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and dental anesthesia clinics. With hourly earnings ranging from $91.79 for entry-level positions to $182.16 for top earners, the profession offers substantial financial opportunities for nurse anesthetists, whether they choose flexibly scheduled part-time work or per diem assignments. Such earning potential makes the job appealing for those looking to balance their professional lives with other commitments while engaging in the specialized work of anesthesia care.
About the South Portland Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91.79 | $734.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114.43 | $915.41 |
| Median (P50) | $129.24 | $1033.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160.30 | $1282.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182.16 | $1457.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Portland
Based on $129.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $129.24/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Portland, ME can expect to earn approximately $268,815 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $155,086. With a cost-of-living index of 99.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $5,169.53 | $22,401 | $268,815 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $3,101.72 | $13,441 | $161,289 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $2,067.81 | $8,961 | $107,526 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (South Portland) | $129.24 |
| 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 South Portland, ME earn a median of $268,809 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.00% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 8.40% above the Maine state average of $247,979.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $129.24/hr = $161,289/year (purchasing power: $161,937).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $268,815/year (purchasing power: $269,895).
CoL index: 99.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$90.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$122.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$129.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in South Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $95.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $101.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $105.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $110.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $97.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $122.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in South Portland grew 35.4% from $90.76/hr (2019) to $122.85/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $135.96/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 South 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 South Portland
Examining the part-time earning potential reveals that a nurse anesthetist working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) could take home an annual income significantly below their full-time counterparts, yet it allows for more personal time and flexibility. Per diem nurse anesthetists in South Portland can command rates significantly higher than the hourly rate — with locum tenens CRNAs often billing $200-$350 per hour in premium markets, leading to total earnings of $1,500-$2,500 for full-week assignments. Hourly rates can vary based on employer type, from hospital systems employing W-2 positions to CRNA-owned practices offering potential partnership stakes. While some facilities provide benefits like health insurance at potentially lower hourly rates, others may offer higher pay without extra coverage. Consequently, practical negotiation strategies for south Portland’s nurse anesthetists may focus on balancing immediate financial needs with long-term job stability and personal life.
More salary data for South Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in South Portland in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse anesthetists make in South 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 South 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
Salary data for South Portland 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