Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Merrillville, IN: $217,980 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Merrillville, IN earns a median $217,980/year (≈ $104.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Merrillville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $238,751 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for nurse anesthetists in Merrillville, Indiana, is projected to reach $217,980, representing a pay rate that falls approximately 12.42% below the national average of $248,893. The salary ranges significantly, with the lower 10th percentile earning about $146,729 and the upper 90th percentile making approximately $303,833. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities. This compensation context places Merrillville's nurse anesthetist salary in a unique position, particularly within an area that practices the Anesthesia Care Team model, where CRNAs often work under medical direction.
About the Merrillville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $146,729 | $70.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $191,193 | $91.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $217,980 | $104.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $268,963 | $129.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $303,833 | $146.07 |
Median Salary Position
12.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Merrillville
In Merrillville, IN, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $157,104 (2026 est.). At $217,980, the local median is 12.42% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Merrillville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Merrillville Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Merrillville median: $217,980/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Merrillville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $227,299 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -12.42% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Merrillville, IN earn a median of $217,980 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.42% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 4.10% below the Indiana state average of $227,299.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Merrillville has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Merrillville, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $217,980 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $238,751 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$153,081
2025 BLS Actual
$207,205
2026 Current Est.
$217,980
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Merrillville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $153,081 | Actual |
| 2020 | $160,779 | Actual |
| 2021 | $171,315 | Actual |
| 2022 | $177,866 | Actual |
| 2023 | $186,238 | Actual |
| 2024 | $183,917 | Actual |
| 2025 | $207,205 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $217,980 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $229,315 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Merrillville metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $153,081 (2019) to $207,205 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $229,315 by 2027 — a total increase of $76,234 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merrillville 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) | $146,729 – $191,193 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $191,193 – $217,980 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $217,980 – $268,963 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $268,963 – $303,833 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Merrillville
With only eight nurse anesthetists currently employed in Merrillville, the local job market for this specialty remains relatively small but stable. Given the cost-of-living index of 91.3, professionals in this field can find that their purchasing power is relatively robust compared to areas with higher living costs. Top-paying employers often include major hospital systems and ambulatory surgery centers, while CRNA-owned group practices are becoming more prevalent. Factors influencing salary variability include call coverage, weekend differentials, and productivity bonuses, which can lead to notable differences in compensation among practitioners. To maximize pay in this market, nurse anesthetists should consider pursuing partnerships in anesthesia groups or enhancing their roles in facilities with higher demands for weekend and holiday coverage.
More salary data for Merrillville, IN:
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 $207,205 for nurse anesthetistsin the Merrillville 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 Merrillville 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