Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Chattanooga, TN: $111.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Chattanooga, TN runs $111.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $231,830 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Chattanooga's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $121.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $139,101 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, nurse anesthetists in Chattanooga, Tennessee, command a median hourly pay of $111.46, which is approximately 6.86% lower than the national hourly median of $119.66. This hourly rate significantly impacts part-time and per-diem professionals, allowing those who work around three days a week to earn a competitive income in various healthcare settings such as main operating rooms and ambulatory surgery centers. Additionally, the hourly pay range showcases the potential earnings from entry-level positions at $68.54 to high-earning roles that reach $167.22 per hour. The figures provided are derived from annual salary data but highlight the financial landscape that nurse anesthetists can expect in a city where the cost of living index is slightly below the national average, making the hourly income even more pertinent for those in Chattanooga.
About the Chattanooga Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($208,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68.54 | $548.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93.21 | $745.66 |
| Median (P50) | $111.46 | $891.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $142.66 | $1141.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167.22 | $1337.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chattanooga
Based on $111.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $111.46/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chattanooga, TN can expect to earn approximately $231,836 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $133,751. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chattanooga.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chattanooga
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $4,458.38 | $19,320 | $231,836 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,675.03 | $11,592 | $139,101 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,783.35 | $7,728 | $92,734 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Chattanooga) | $111.46 |
| 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 Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $231,830 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.86% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 1.50% above the Tennessee state average of $228,404.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $111.46/hr = $139,101/year (purchasing power: $151,527).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $231,836/year (purchasing power: $252,544).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$72.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$105.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$111.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $67.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $77.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $85.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $91.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $94.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $105.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Chattanooga grew 46.0% from $72.55/hr (2019) to $105.95/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $117.26/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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga
Evaluating the part-time earning potential further, a nurse anesthetist who commits to a 24-hour work week could still bring home a substantial income annually, contrasting with full-time counterparts. Professionals opting for per diem work or exploring locum tenens roles often discover lucrative opportunities that can range from $200 to $350 per hour in premium markets. Given that agencies often cover expenses like travel and lodging, this compensation structure can be particularly attractive. In Chattanooga, hourly pay varies across different employer types—such as hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and CRNA-owned practices—where some may prioritize higher wages at the expense of benefits. For effective salary negotiations, nurse anesthetists should articulate their value clearly while considering the trade-offs of benefits versus hourly pay, ultimately making informed decisions based on the unique employment climate in TN.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Chattanooga in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse anesthetists make in Chattanooga?
Are nurse anesthetists in Chattanooga paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time nurse anesthetist make per year in Chattanooga?
Do nurse anesthetists earn more per hour working part-time in Chattanooga?
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 Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga 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