Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Anchorage, AK: $255,438 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Anchorage, AK earns a median $255,438/year (≈ $122.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Anchorage's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.1), that paycheck buys what $240,752 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the Alaska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Anchorage, Alaska is projected to reach a median of $255,438, which positions it slightly above the national average of $248,893. This salary reflects a range from $154,358 at the 10th percentile to $395,930 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the significant earning potential for nurse anesthetists in this market. These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, which have been adjusted for regional cost of living factors. As Anchorage operates within a mixed model of anesthesia delivery, CRNAs benefit from the potential independence afforded in opt-out states, impacting their earning capability within various healthcare settings.
About the Anchorage Market
Salary estimated from Alaska average ($235,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $154,358 | $74.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $211,897 | $101.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $255,438 | $122.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $318,172 | $152.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $395,930 | $190.35 |
Median Salary Position
2.63% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Anchorage
In Anchorage, AK, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $241,572 (2026 est.). At $255,438, the local median is 2.63% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Anchorage: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Anchorage Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Anchorage median: $255,438/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Anchorage Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $245,850 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +2.63% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Anchorage, AK earn a median of $255,438 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.63% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 3.90% above the Alaska state average of $245,850.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Anchorage has a cost of living 6.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Anchorage, AK has a cost-of-living index of 106.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $255,438 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $240,752 — a 5.75% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$179,387
2025 BLS Actual
$242,812
2026 Current Est.
$255,438
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Anchorage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $179,387 | Actual |
| 2020 | $188,408 | Actual |
| 2021 | $200,754 | Actual |
| 2022 | $208,431 | Actual |
| 2023 | $218,242 | Actual |
| 2024 | $259,167 | Actual |
| 2025 | $242,812 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $255,438 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $268,721 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Anchorage metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $179,387 (2019) to $242,812 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $268,721 by 2027 — a total increase of $89,334 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anchorage 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) | $154,358 – $211,897 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $211,897 – $255,438 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $255,438 – $318,172 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $318,172 – $395,930 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Anchorage
The employment landscape for nurse anesthetists in Anchorage shows a workforce of approximately 65 professionals, demonstrating a solid local job market. However, the cost-of-living index sits at 106.1, suggesting that while salaries are robust, they may be somewhat offset by higher living expenses. Employers in Anchorage include hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and CRNA-owned practices, with compensation varying according to the institutional structure and call coverage requirements. The gap between the lowest and highest salaries is often driven by factors such as the intensity of call rotation, bonuses tied to operational efficiency, and differences in tax structures between W-2 and 1099 positions. To maximize earnings, nurse anesthetists should seek roles that offer partnership opportunities in private practice settings and consider negotiating for weekend or holiday differentials, as well as productivity-based incentives.
More salary data for Anchorage, AK:
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 $242,812 for nurse anesthetistsin the Anchorage 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
Salary data for Anchorage 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