Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Ashland, KY: $281,519 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Ashland, KY earns a median $281,519/year (≈ $135.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Ashland's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $315,251 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 26.7% above the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nurse anesthetists in Ashland, Kentucky, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $281,519, reflecting a substantial increase in local compensation compared to national averages. The salary range in this market stretches from $190,180 at the lower end (P10) to an impressive $376,368 at the upper end (P90), showcasing a diverse earning potential for these professionals. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight how Ashland's compensation for nurse anesthetists is markedly competitive, especially within the framework of the Anesthesia Care Team model that governs practice in most states, including those with federal opt-out provisions. This advantageous positioning speaks to the evolving landscape in Ashland's healthcare system, where the role of CRNAs is increasingly recognized and compensated accordingly.
About the Ashland Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($208,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $190,180 | $91.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $247,823 | $119.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $281,519 | $135.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $338,701 | $162.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $376,368 | $180.94 |
Median Salary Position
13.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ashland
In Ashland, KY, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $186,188 (2026 est.). At $281,519, the local median is 13.11% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ashland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ashland Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Ashland median: $281,519/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ashland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $222,194 | +26.70% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +13.11% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Ashland, KY earn a median of $281,519 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.11% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 26.70% above the Kentucky state average of $222,194.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ashland has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ashland, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $281,519 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $315,251 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$197,703
2025 BLS Actual
$267,604
2026 Current Est.
$281,519
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Ashland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $197,703 | Actual |
| 2020 | $207,645 | Actual |
| 2021 | $221,252 | Actual |
| 2022 | $229,713 | Actual |
| 2023 | $240,526 | Actual |
| 2024 | $176,702 | Actual |
| 2025 | $267,604 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $281,519 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $296,158 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ashland metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $197,703 (2019) to $267,604 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $296,158 by 2027 — a total increase of $98,455 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ashland 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) | $190,180 – $247,823 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $247,823 – $281,519 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $281,519 – $338,701 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $338,701 – $376,368 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Ashland
In terms of local employment, Ashland currently has four nurse anesthetists, illustrating a tight-knit market that may lend itself to unique dynamics in pay structures. The cost of living index for the area stands at 89.3, indicating that while salaries are robust, the lower cost of living allows for enhanced purchasing power compared to national standards. Major employers in Ashland, such as hospital systems and ambulatory surgery centers, often offer more competitive wages, while CRNA-owned practices may provide opportunities for higher earnings through partnership tracks. Factors influencing the pay spread include call coverage rotations, weekend differentials, and bonuses tied to operating room efficiency. For those looking to maximize their nurse anesthetist pay in Ashland, strategic negotiations regarding work hours, benefits, and engagement in specialty practices could lead to better financial outcomes.
More salary data for Ashland, KY:
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 $267,604 for nurse anesthetistsin the Ashland 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 Ashland 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