Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in State College, PA: $104.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in State College, PA runs $104.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $216,736 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against State College's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $106.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $130,042 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In State College, Pennsylvania, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay is projected to be $104.20 in 2026, which is noticeably lower than the national median hourly rate of $119.66. This disparity can impact those looking for part-time or per-diem roles within the healthcare system, where they typically work in settings such as main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, OB suites, and dental anesthesia clinics. The hourly pay range for nurse anesthetists in the area extends from $72.27 for entry-level positions to as much as $148.01 for the highest earners. Given that these rates are derived from annual salary estimates, they offer a critical insight into payment expectations, particularly for part-time practitioners who may work three days a week, maximizing flexibility while earning competitive hourly wages.
About the State College Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72.27 | $578.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92.97 | $743.72 |
| Median (P50) | $104.20 | $833.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129.94 | $1039.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148.01 | $1184.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in State College
Based on $104.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $104.20/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in State College, PA can expect to earn approximately $216,737 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $125,041. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in State College.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in State College
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $4,168.02 | $18,061 | $216,737 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,500.81 | $10,837 | $130,042 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,667.21 | $7,225 | $86,695 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (State College) | $104.20 |
| 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 State College, PA earn a median of $216,736 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.92% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 4.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $227,187.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $104.20/hr = $130,042/year (purchasing power: $133,514).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $216,737/year (purchasing power: $222,523).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$73.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$99.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$104.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in State College (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $76.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $81.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $85.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $89.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $96.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $99.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in State College grew 35.4% from $73.18/hr (2019) to $99.05/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $109.62/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 State College 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 State College
When considering part-time positions, a nurse anesthetist working 24 hours a week in the State College region would take home approximately $129,106 annually before taxes. This figure stands in contrast to full-time earnings, which are considerably higher. Moreover, per diem options offer attractive financial incentives since locum tenens CRNAs can command between $200 and $350 per hour in premium markets, significantly increasing their earnings potential. Different employer types in the region also play a role in hourly compensation, whether through hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, or CRNA-owned practices, each presenting varying support structures and benefits. For many, the choice between a higher hourly rate without benefits versus lower pay with health insurance represents a practical trade-off in their career decisions. Negotiation strategies should focus on understanding local market conditions and specific employer expectations to secure fair compensation in the competitive landscape of nurse anesthetist hourly rates in PA.
More salary data for State College, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in State College in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse anesthetists make in State College?
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How much does a full-time nurse anesthetist make per year in State College?
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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 State College. 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 State College 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