Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Charlotte, NC: $140.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Charlotte, NC runs $140.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $291,983 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Charlotte's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $144.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $175,193 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay in Charlotte, North Carolina, is projected at $140.38. This competitive rate is substantially higher than the national hourly median of $119.66, reflecting a positive trend for CRNAs in the region. For nurse anesthetists working part-time—typically three days a week—the financial implications are significant. With a versatile work schedule, they can expect to earn between $112.54 and $169.01 per hour, depending on their experience and the specific healthcare settings in which they operate, such as main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, or dental anesthesia clinics. For per-diem workers, this translates to an attractive pay structure that allows for flexibility while still providing a solid income, especially given that the hourly rates are drawn from official BLS projections.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $112.54 | $900.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117.08 | $936.62 |
| Median (P50) | $140.38 | $1123.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158.15 | $1265.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169.01 | $1352.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlotte
Based on $140.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $140.38/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlotte, NC can expect to earn approximately $291,988 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $168,455. With a cost-of-living index of 97.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlotte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlotte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $5,615.16 | $24,332 | $291,988 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $3,369.09 | $14,599 | $175,193 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $2,246.06 | $9,733 | $116,795 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Charlotte) | $140.38 |
| 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 Charlotte, NC earn a median of $291,983 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.31% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 25.50% above the North Carolina state average of $232,655.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $140.38/hr = $175,193/year (purchasing power: $179,966).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $291,988/year (purchasing power: $299,943).
CoL index: 97.348 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$93.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$133.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$140.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+58.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Charlotte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $98.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $110.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $103.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $111.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $114.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $133.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Charlotte grew 43.1% from $93.24/hr (2019) to $133.44/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $147.68/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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte
When considering part-time roles, a nurse anesthetist working in Charlotte for 24 hours a week can earn a substantial income without committing to full-time hours. In contrast, those opting for per diem positions can command impressive rates, often between $200 and $350 per hour, particularly in premium markets, with daily earnings ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 on comprehensive assignments. This variability extends into different employer types, where hourly compensation can differ widely—hospital systems might offer W-2 employment with benefits, while CRNA-owned practices may provide a partnership track with equity share potential. Additionally, compensation from locum tenens agencies typically includes travel and lodging on top of the hourly rate. Therefore, many nurse anesthetists must weigh the trade-offs of higher hourly pay against benefits like health insurance that are often included in traditional employment arrangements. Negotiating hourly rates in Charlotte could involve emphasizing clinical experience and the value of independent practice in opt-out states, positioning oneself as a desirable candidate faced with growing opportunities in the sector.
More salary data for Charlotte, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Charlotte in 2026?
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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 Charlotte. 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