Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Athens, GA: $238,577 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Athens, GA earns a median $238,577/year (≈ $114.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Athens's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $256,259 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% above the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projection for nurse anesthetist salaries in Athens, Georgia, reaches a median of $238,577, placing this figure slightly below the anticipated national median of $248,893. The local salary range demonstrates significant variability, with a minimum of $152,241 (P10) and a potential peak at $349,685 (P90). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost of living in Athens, provide valuable insights into the local compensation structure. Notably, Athens is situated in a market that generally favors W-2 employment through hospital systems or ambulatory surgery centers, although opportunities also exist with CRNA-owned practices. Understanding how the local market aligns with the Anesthesia Care Team model and federal opt-out distinctions is key for prospective nurse anesthetists considering employment in this area.
About the Athens Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $152,241 | $73.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $203,702 | $97.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $238,577 | $114.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $301,129 | $144.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $349,685 | $168.12 |
Median Salary Position
4.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Athens
In Athens, GA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $197,444 (2026 est.). At $238,577, the local median is 4.14% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Athens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Athens Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Athens median: $238,577/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Athens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $231,628 | +3.00% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | -4.14% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Athens, GA earn a median of $238,577 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.14% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 3.00% above the Georgia state average of $231,628.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Athens has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Athens, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $238,577 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $256,259 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$167,545
2025 BLS Actual
$226,784
2026 Current Est.
$238,577
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $167,545 | Actual |
| 2020 | $175,971 | Actual |
| 2021 | $187,503 | Actual |
| 2022 | $194,672 | Actual |
| 2023 | $203,836 | Actual |
| 2024 | $201,296 | Actual |
| 2025 | $226,784 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $238,577 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $250,983 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Athens metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $167,545 (2019) to $226,784 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $250,983 by 2027 — a total increase of $83,438 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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) | $152,241 – $203,702 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $203,702 – $238,577 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $238,577 – $301,129 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $301,129 – $349,685 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Athens
The local job market for nurse anesthetists in Athens consists of around 31 practitioners, which highlights a niche workforce amid the city’s favorable cost of living index of 93.1. This index indicates that living expenses in Athens are generally below the national average, positively influencing the take-home purchasing power for CRNAs. For those seeking competitive salaries, hospital systems often present robust compensation packages compared to alternatives such as locum tenens agencies or chronic pain management clinics. The disparity in pay can stem from a variety of factors, including call coverage rotations and the efficiency of operating room practices. To maximize pay in this specific Athens market, aspiring nurse anesthetists should focus on negotiating their employment terms, considering weekend and holiday differentials, as well as potential bonuses associated with productivity and efficiency metrics, which are particularly prized in acute care settings.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Athens, GA in 2026?
Is Athens, GA a good place to work as a nurse anesthetist?
Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Athens?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nurse anesthetist salary in Athens?
How much does a nurse anesthetist make per hour in Athens?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Georgia
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 $226,784 for nurse anesthetistsin the Athens 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 Athens 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