Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Tucson, AZ: $268,701 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Tucson, AZ earns a median $268,701/year (≈ $129.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Tucson's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $272,793 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.6% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual wage for nurse anesthetists in Tucson, Arizona is projected to reach an impressive $268,701. This figure not only surpasses the national median salary of $248,893 but also demonstrates a robust 5.20% growth rate over five years, illustrating healthy compensation trends within this critical healthcare sector. Salary ranges for this role vary widely, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $164,698 and the upper echelon earning as much as $402,126. Factors influencing this compensation include the structural employment choices available to nurse anesthetists, such as W-2 hospital positions versus autonomous contracts in group practices. This dichotomy affects take-home pay considerably, reflecting both the demand for skilled practitioners and the local healthcare needs.
About the Tucson Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $164,698 | $79.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $224,686 | $108.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $268,701 | $129.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $343,018 | $164.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $402,126 | $193.33 |
Median Salary Position
7.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tucson
In Tucson, AZ, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $237,428 (2026 est.). At $268,701, the local median is 7.96% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tucson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tucson Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Tucson median: $268,701/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tucson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $245,165 | +9.60% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +7.96% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Tucson, AZ earn a median of $268,701 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.96% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 9.60% above the Arizona state average of $245,165.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tucson 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.
Tucson, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $268,701 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $272,793 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$188,701
2025 BLS Actual
$255,419
2026 Current Est.
$268,701
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Tucson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $188,701 | Actual |
| 2020 | $198,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $211,178 | Actual |
| 2022 | $219,253 | Actual |
| 2023 | $229,574 | Actual |
| 2024 | $226,713 | Actual |
| 2025 | $255,419 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $268,701 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $282,673 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tucson metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $188,701 (2019) to $255,419 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $282,673 by 2027 — a total increase of $93,972 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tucson 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) | $164,698 – $224,686 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $224,686 – $268,701 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $268,701 – $343,018 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $343,018 – $402,126 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Tucson
The job market for nurse anesthetists in Tucson, where 137 individuals currently work in this specialty, continues to thrive despite the local cost of living index being slightly below the national average at 98.5. This lower index enhances the purchasing power of nurse anesthetist salaries, providing a comfortable lifestyle for practitioners in the area. Among local employers, hospital systems typically offer competitive compensation for full-time positions, though CRNA-owned anesthesia practices are increasingly attractive due to potential benefits such as partnership opportunities and profit-sharing. The remuneration disparities stem from various factors, including on-call obligations, holiday differentials, and the structure of compensation in ambulatory or locum tenens roles. Those looking to maximize their earnings may consider negotiating call coverage terms, exploring high-demand specialties, or pursuing advanced interventions that reflect higher billing rates, ensuring their practice aligns with the evolving landscape of anesthesia care in Tucson.
More salary data for Tucson, AZ:
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 $255,419 for nurse anesthetistsin the Tucson 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 Tucson 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