Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in North Charleston, SC: $118.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in North Charleston, SC runs $118.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $245,765 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against North Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $129.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $147,464 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In North Charleston, South Carolina, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay is projected to be $118.16 in 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $119.66. This rate reflects the financial landscape that CRNAs can expect to navigate as they work in various clinical settings, including main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, OB suites, and dental anesthesia clinics. For those considering part-time or per-diem work options, such as scheduling three days a week, this hourly pay translates into meaningful compensation, especially for professionals balancing work with other commitments. Nurse anesthetists in North Charleston can expect to earn anywhere from $71.90 per hour at the lower end of the scale to as much as $169.25 for those at the top of their profession, illustrating the earning potential that exists even within an evolving healthcare environment.
About the North Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($208,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71.90 | $575.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105.61 | $844.88 |
| Median (P50) | $118.16 | $945.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146.80 | $1174.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169.25 | $1353.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in North Charleston
Based on $118.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $118.16/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in North Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $245,774 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $141,793. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in North Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in North Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $4,726.43 | $20,481 | $245,774 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,835.86 | $12,289 | $147,464 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,890.57 | $8,192 | $98,310 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (North Charleston) | $118.16 |
| 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 North Charleston, SC earn a median of $245,765 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.26% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 7.90% above the South Carolina state average of $227,771.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $118.16/hr = $147,464/year (purchasing power: $161,163).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $245,774/year (purchasing power: $268,606).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$82.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$112.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$118.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in North Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $87.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $92.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $96.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $100.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $94.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $112.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in North Charleston grew 35.4% from $82.98/hr (2019) to $112.32/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $124.30/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 North 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 North Charleston
When examining part-time opportunities, a nurse anesthetist working a 24-hour week can bring home a significant income compared to full-time positions, offering flexibility and relative financial stability. For those in locum tenens roles, the compensation can skyrocket, with hourly billing ranging from $200 to $350 in premium markets, providing viable options for CRNAs who may prefer short-term contracts. Variability in hourly rates also occurs among different employer types in North Charleston, where employment can range from hospital systems to CRNA-owned group practices and per diem agency placements. Many professionals face the trade-off of opting for lower hourly rates that include healthcare benefits against higher hourly pay without benefits. Negotiation strategies in this multifaceted environment can prove invaluable, as awareness of regional pay standards and benefits can empower nurse anesthetists to secure compensation that aligns with their individual career goals and personal needs.
More salary data for North Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in North Charleston 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 North 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
Salary data for North Charleston 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