Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Birmingham, AL: $184,994 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Birmingham, AL earns a median $184,994/year (≈ $88.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Birmingham's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $201,862 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.5% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Birmingham, Alabama, is projected to reach an annual median of $184,994, positioning it notably lower than the national median of $248,893. With a salary range spanning from $106,725 at the 10th percentile to $248,125 at the 90th percentile, the city demonstrates a varied earning potential reflective of both experience and workplace variables. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, highlights Birmingham's nurse anesthetist compensation amidst a broader national context, where practitioners are navigating either independent practice in federal opt-out states or collaborative models within the Anesthesia Care Team structure. The current pay structure may influence professionals' decisions when weighing job opportunities and work settings in Birmingham.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,725 | $51.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,725 | $51.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $184,994 | $88.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $222,477 | $106.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $248,125 | $119.29 |
Median Salary Position
25.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Birmingham
In Birmingham, AL, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $141,400 (2026 est.). At $184,994, the local median is 25.67% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Birmingham: You'd be above the median
How Birmingham Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Birmingham median: $184,994/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Birmingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $202,179 | -8.50% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -25.67% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Birmingham, AL earn a median of $184,994 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.67% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 8.50% below the Alabama state average of $202,179.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Birmingham has a cost of living 8.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Birmingham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 91.644 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $184,994 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $201,862 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.12% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$167,900
2025 BLS Actual
$175,850
2026 Current Est.
$184,994
2019–2027 Growth
+15.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Birmingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $167,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $185,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $168,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $182,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $163,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $155,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $175,850 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $184,994 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $194,614 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Birmingham metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 4.7% from $167,900 (2019) to $175,850 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $194,614 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,714 (15.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Birmingham 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $106,725 – $106,725 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,725 – $184,994 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $184,994 – $222,477 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $222,477 – $248,125 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Birmingham
In terms of local employment, approximately 750 nurse anesthetists contribute to a robust healthcare landscape in Birmingham, where the cost of living index stands at 91.644, indicating a more affordable living scenario compared to national averages. This favorable cost structure can enhance take-home purchasing power, making positions in the area attractive despite the relatively lower salary compared to national figures. Employers such as large hospital systems and CRNA-owned anesthesia group practices are among the highest payers. However, compensation can vary significantly based on factors like call coverage rotation, with some facilities offering more attractive weekend and holiday differentials or performance-based bonuses, which can significantly impact overall earnings. For those seeking to maximize nurse anesthetist pay in Birmingham, exploring opportunities with locum tenens agencies or negotiating for partnership status in CRNA-owned practices can present pathways for enhanced financial outcomes.
More salary data for Birmingham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $175,850 for nurse anesthetistsin the Birmingham metropolitan area. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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