Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Wilmington, NC: $110.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Wilmington, NC runs $110.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $230,209 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $114.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $138,130 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Wilmington, North Carolina, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay is pegged at a median of $110.68 in 2026. This rate is slightly below the national median hourly pay of $119.66, reflecting the local job market dynamics. For those opting for part-time work—typically three days a week—a nurse anesthetist can expect to earn a stable income in various clinical settings such as main operating rooms and ambulatory surgery centers. The hourly earnings across this role range from $61.01 for entry-level positions to as high as $134.66 for seasoned professionals, giving a clear indication of the financial growth potential within this specialized field. This information is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and highlights the prevailing compensation structures for nurse anesthetists in Wilmington.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61.01 | $488.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110.68 | $885.45 |
| Median (P50) | $110.68 | $885.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134.66 | $1077.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134.66 | $1077.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $110.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $110.68/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, NC can expect to earn approximately $230,216 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $132,817. With a cost-of-living index of 96.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $4,427.24 | $19,185 | $230,216 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,656.34 | $11,511 | $138,130 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,770.89 | $7,674 | $92,087 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Wilmington) | $110.68 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC earn a median of $230,209 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.51% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 1.10% below the North Carolina state average of $232,770.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $110.68/hr = $138,130/year (purchasing power: $143,255).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $230,216/year (purchasing power: $238,759).
CoL index: 96.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$77.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$105.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$110.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $81.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $86.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $90.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $94.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $94.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $105.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Wilmington grew 35.4% from $77.73/hr (2019) to $105.21/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $116.44/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
Examining the part-time earning capacity further reveals that working a 24-hour week translates to a notable income for a nurse anesthetist, contrasting their full-time counterparts who enjoy broader benefits. Per diem nurse anesthetist pay in Wilmington can vary significantly. Many locum tenens CRNAs command rates anywhere from $200 to $350 per hour in premium areas, sometimes even achieving a daily income between $1,500 and $2,500 for week-long assignments. In terms of employer types, hourly rates differ substantially; CRNAs employed by hospital systems typically earn a W-2 wage, while those in ambulatory surgery centers may operate as either W-2 or 1099 contractors. Anesthesia groups owned by CRNAs can offer partnerships, while locum tenens agencies often provide additional perks like travel reimbursement and malpractice coverage on top of the hourly rate. For those considering these options, there's often a trade-off between a higher hourly rate without benefits and lower rates accompanied by comprehensive health coverage. Finally, effective negotiation strategies can help practitioners in Wilmington maximize their earnings while aligning their work arrangements with personal and professional goals.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Wilmington in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse anesthetists make in Wilmington?
Are nurse anesthetists in Wilmington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time nurse anesthetist make per year in Wilmington?
Do nurse anesthetists earn more per hour working part-time in Wilmington?
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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 Wilmington. 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, 2-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