Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Tempe, AZ: $246,194 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Tempe, AZ earns a median $246,194/year (≈ $118.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Tempe's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $249,943 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Tempe, Arizona, nurse anesthetists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $246,194 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $248,893. The salary range for this profession in the area varies significantly, with the lower 10% earning around $166,710 and the top 90% bringing in as much as $348,234. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, taking into account regional price adjustments. The hospital versus group practice structural choices greatly influence compensation structures, affecting both pay grades and the overall job market. With 43 nurse anesthetists actively employed in Tempe, the competitive landscape reveals both opportunities and challenges that can shape individual earning potential.
About the Tempe Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $166,710 | $80.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $217,484 | $104.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $246,194 | $118.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $303,248 | $145.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $348,234 | $167.42 |
Median Salary Position
1.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tempe
In Tempe, AZ, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $181,524 (2026 est.). At $246,194, the local median is 1.08% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tempe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tempe Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Tempe median: $246,194/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tempe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $245,213 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | -1.08% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Tempe, AZ earn a median of $246,194 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.08% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 0.40% above the Arizona state average of $245,213.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tempe has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tempe, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $246,194 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $249,943 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$172,895
2025 BLS Actual
$234,025
2026 Current Est.
$246,194
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Tempe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $172,895 | Actual |
| 2020 | $181,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $193,489 | Actual |
| 2022 | $200,888 | Actual |
| 2023 | $210,345 | Actual |
| 2024 | $207,723 | Actual |
| 2025 | $234,025 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $246,194 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $258,996 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tempe metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $172,895 (2019) to $234,025 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $258,996 by 2027 — a total increase of $86,101 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tempe 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) | $166,710 – $217,484 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $217,484 – $246,194 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $246,194 – $303,248 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $303,248 – $348,234 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Tempe
In a city with a cost-of-living index of 98.5, the take-home purchasing power of nurse anesthetists is relatively favorable due to lower living expenses compared to national averages. Predominantly, employers that pay the highest salaries to nurse anesthetists in Tempe include well-established hospital systems and CRNA-owned anesthesia group practices that may offer partnership opportunities and profit-sharing models. Factors contributing to pay variation include call coverage rotations, with some CRNAs facing demanding schedules like 1-in-5, compared to more favorable options such as 1-in-8. Additional compensation can arise from weekend and holiday differentials, OR efficiency bonuses, and the tax implications of 1099 versus W-2 employment. To maximize earnings effectively, an understanding of local labor trends, including negotiating partnership-track arrangements and capitalizing on demand within the anesthesia field, is essential for those considering a career as a nurse anesthetist in Tempe, AZ.
More salary data for Tempe, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Tempe?
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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 $234,025 for nurse anesthetistsin the Tempe 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 Tempe 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