Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Sterling, VA: $118.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Sterling, VA runs $118.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $246,451 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Sterling's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $114.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $147,871 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Sterling, Virginia, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay stands at $118.49, slightly below the national median of $119.66. This rate reflects compensation for a critical role performed in diverse settings such as operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, OB suites, chronic pain procedure rooms, dental anesthesia clinics, and military facilities. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this translates to significant income potential, with entry-level hourly workers earning around $82.87, while the top earners can command up to $165.50 per hour. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, showcasing a solid earning potential for both per-diem and full-time nurse anesthetists in the region.
About the Sterling Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82.87 | $662.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103.96 | $831.67 |
| Median (P50) | $118.49 | $947.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146.05 | $1168.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $165.50 | $1324.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sterling
Based on $118.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $118.49/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sterling, VA can expect to earn approximately $246,452 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $142,184. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sterling.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sterling
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $4,739.47 | $20,538 | $246,452 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,843.68 | $12,323 | $147,871 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,895.79 | $8,215 | $98,581 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Sterling) | $118.49 |
| 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 Sterling, VA earn a median of $246,451 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.98% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 4.10% below the Virginia state average of $256,987.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $118.49/hr = $147,871/year (purchasing power: $143,286).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $246,452/year (purchasing power: $238,811).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$83.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$112.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$118.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Sterling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $87.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $93.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $96.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $101.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $102.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $112.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Sterling grew 35.4% from $83.21/hr (2019) to $112.63/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $124.65/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 Sterling 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 Sterling
Analyzing the pay structure for nurse anesthetists in Sterling provides further insights into their earning potential. A nurse anesthetist working part-time at a three-day week schedule (approximately 24 hours) could expect to take home around $184,000 annually, offering flexibility without sacrificing substantial earnings compared to full-time counterparts. In contrast, per-diem or agency roles reveal a different financial landscape, with locum tenens CRNAs often billing between $200 and $350 per hour and earning daily rates of $1,500 to $2,500 for extended assignments. Variability in pay rates among healthcare systems can be attributed to employer types: W-2 employees at hospital systems may receive benefits that accompany a lower hourly rate, while CRNA-owned practices and locum tenens agencies often align more closely with independent contractor arrangements, which can come with higher hourly rates but lack benefits. For those operating in Sterling, negotiation is key; understanding the trade-offs between hourly pay and benefits is essential for making informed career decisions within this specialized field.
More salary data for Sterling, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Sterling in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse anesthetists make in Sterling?
Are nurse anesthetists in Sterling paid hourly or salary?
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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 Sterling. 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 Sterling 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