Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Chapel Hill, NC: $111.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Chapel Hill, NC runs $111.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $232,333 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Chapel Hill's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $119.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $139,403 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly pay of $111.70, nurse anesthetists in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, earn slightly less than the national median of $119.66 per hour. This hourly rate is significant for both part-time positions and per diem nurses who commonly work in various settings, including main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and pain management clinics. Entry-level nurse anesthetists may earn around $70.73 per hour, while top earners in the Chapel Hill area can reach rates of up to $165.13 per hour, indicating a wide range of compensation based on experience and workplace environment. These figures are drawn from estimated annual salary data, reinforcing the understanding of hourly compensation in light of increasingly diverse professional landscapes.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70.73 | $565.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94.84 | $758.70 |
| Median (P50) | $111.70 | $893.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138.12 | $1104.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $165.13 | $1321.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chapel Hill
Based on $111.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $111.70/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chapel Hill, NC can expect to earn approximately $232,339 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $134,042. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chapel Hill.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chapel Hill
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $4,468.05 | $19,362 | $232,339 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,680.83 | $11,617 | $139,403 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,787.22 | $7,745 | $92,936 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Chapel Hill) | $111.70 |
| 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 Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $232,333 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.65% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 0.20% below the North Carolina state average of $232,799.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $111.70/hr = $139,403/year (purchasing power: $148,935).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $232,339/year (purchasing power: $248,225).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$78.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$106.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$111.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $82.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $87.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $91.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $95.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $94.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $106.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Chapel Hill grew 35.4% from $78.44/hr (2019) to $106.18/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $117.51/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 Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill
The earning potential for part-time nurse anesthetists working three days a week totals about $87,085 annually, providing a comfortable income without the full-time commitment. Per diem nurses, especially those working through locum tenens agencies, can realize much higher hourly rates, often billing between $200-$350 in premium markets and achieving daily rates of $1,500-$2,500 for full-week assignments. In Chapel Hill, the type of employer significantly affects compensation; CRNAs may work in hospital systems, ambulatory clinics, or private practices, each presenting unique benefits and pay structures. Some CRNAs might accept lower hourly rates for the inclusive health benefits of a W-2 position, while others prioritize flexibility and heightened earnings in 1099 roles. Negotiating pay can draw on factors such as workload and employer benefits, essential considerations for nurse anesthetists in this region.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Chapel Hill in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse anesthetists make in Chapel Hill?
Are nurse anesthetists in Chapel Hill paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time nurse anesthetist make per year in Chapel Hill?
Do nurse anesthetists earn more per hour working part-time in Chapel Hill?
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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 Chapel Hill. 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 Chapel Hill 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