Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Charleston, SC: $115.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Charleston, SC runs $115.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $240,634 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.0, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $114.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $144,379 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Nurse anesthetists in Charleston, South Carolina, can expect a median hourly pay of $115.69, which falls slightly below the national median of $119.66. This rate not only provides a solid income but also reflects the value of these professionals in a range of healthcare settings, including main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and dental anesthesia clinics. For nurse anesthetists working part-time at three days a week, this hourly wage translates to a respectable income while allowing for flexibility in their schedules. The hourly pay range in Charleston varies significantly, from an entry-level rate of $84.52 to top earners making as much as $209.10 per hour, showcasing the potential for advancement and specialization in the field as highlighted by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data projected for 2026.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84.52 | $676.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113.26 | $906.07 |
| Median (P50) | $115.69 | $925.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145.86 | $1166.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209.10 | $1672.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $115.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $115.69/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $240,632 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $138,826. With a cost-of-living index of 100.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $4,627.54 | $20,053 | $240,632 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,776.52 | $12,032 | $144,379 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,851.02 | $8,021 | $96,253 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Charleston) | $115.69 |
| 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 Charleston, SC earn a median of $240,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.32% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 5.70% above the South Carolina state average of $227,658.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $115.69/hr = $144,379/year (purchasing power: $143,003).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $240,632/year (purchasing power: $238,339).
CoL index: 100.962 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$76.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$109.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$115.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+58.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $77.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $82.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $83.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $100.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $110.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $109.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Charleston grew 43.5% from $76.63/hr (2019) to $109.97/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $121.70/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 Charleston 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 Charleston
Examining the financial potential for part-time roles reveals that a nurse anesthetist working 24 hours a week would take home substantially less than a full-time counterpart, with their annual earnings being influenced by their chosen work arrangements. Many CRNAs opt for per diem positions, where the pay can significantly exceed typical hourly wages; locum tenens nurse anesthetists often bill between $200 and $350 per hour, followed by daily rates that can reach $1,500 to $2,500 for full-week assignments. In Charleston, hourly pay can also vary by employer type, with hospital systems typically offering W-2 employment and benefits, while ambulatory surgery centers may provide both W-2 and 1099 options. Some CRNAs may choose to accept lower hourly compensation in exchange for health insurance and other benefits, while others may prefer the higher rates without such benefits, particularly in private practice or agency contracts. Negotiation strategies can be critical in this context, with an emphasis on understanding the job market and the specifics of Charleston's healthcare environment, allowing CRNAs to maximize their pay and work conditions.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Charleston in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Charleston. 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, 7-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