Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Washington, DC: $234,754 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Washington, DC earns a median $234,754/year (≈ $112.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Washington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.9), that paycheck buys what $215,600 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.4% below the District of Columbia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Washington, DC, is projected to reach a median of $234,754, placing it notably lower than the national median of $248,893. This competitive pay metric reflects a salary range from $113,458 at the low end (P10) to $369,336 at the high end (P90), as derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. Despite the allure of the capitol city's employment opportunities, nurse anesthetists working here face a challenging market given that this area's compensation is approximately 5.68% less than the national median. Nonetheless, factors such as the working environment and type of employment can influence earning potential significantly, making Washington an essential market for nurse anesthetists to navigate in considering their career trajectories.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $113,458 | $54.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $234,733 | $112.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $234,754 | $112.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $369,273 | $177.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $369,336 | $177.57 |
Median Salary Position
5.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington
In Washington, DC, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $255,878 (2026 est.). At $234,754, the local median is 5.68% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Washington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Washington Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Washington median: $234,754/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Washington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia Average | $291,258 | -19.40% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -5.68% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Washington, DC earn a median of $234,754 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.68% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 19.40% below the District of Columbia state average of $291,258.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Washington has a cost of living 8.88% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Washington, DC has a cost-of-living index of 108.884 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $234,754 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $215,600 — a 8.16% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$180,450
2025 BLS Actual
$223,150
2026 Current Est.
$234,754
2019–2027 Growth
+36.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $180,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $175,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $204,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $221,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $235,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $225,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $223,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $234,754 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $246,961 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 23.7% from $180,450 (2019) to $223,150 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $246,961 by 2027 — a total increase of $66,511 (36.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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) | $113,458 – $234,733 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $234,733 – $234,754 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $234,754 – $369,273 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $369,273 – $369,336 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Washington
The local job market for nurse anesthetists remains robust with 440 practitioners currently employed in the Washington area, yet the cost of living is above the national average, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 108.884. This higher index underscores a necessary adjustment in earnings to maintain take-home purchasing power. Among various employers, hospital systems typically offer the highest salaries, especially for CRNAs willing to undertake demanding call coverage rotations and weekend shifts. Alternatively, locum tenens roles may provide flexibility but could lack the financial stability in hours worked. The spread between lower and higher salaries here often relates to differences in hours, weekend differentials, OR productivity bonuses, and the nature of employment (W-2 vs. 1099). To maximize compensation, prospective CRNAs should actively seek positions that allow for negotiation of profit sharing in group practices and consider the trade-offs of different employment structures.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
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 $223,150 for nurse anesthetistsin the Washington 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