Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY: $234,091 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earns a median $234,091/year (≈ $112.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Louisville/Jefferson County's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $251,511 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual nurse anesthetist salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY is $234,091, positioning local compensation notably below the national average of $248,893 for the same year. The salary range varies significantly, from $222,814 at the lower tenth percentile to $326,625 at the upper ninetieth percentile, reflecting diverse opportunities for professionals in this field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, illustrate the economic dynamics influenced by local healthcare systems and practice settings. Understanding this compensation framework is essential for nurse anesthetists, especially in a region where the Anesthesia Care Team model remains prevalent under medical direction.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $222,814 | $107.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $222,814 | $107.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $234,091 | $112.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $234,102 | $112.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $326,625 | $157.03 |
Median Salary Position
5.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Louisville/Jefferson County
In Louisville/Jefferson County, KY, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,811 (2026 est.). At $234,091, the local median is 5.95% below the national median of $248,893.
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At 40 hours/week in Louisville/Jefferson County: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Louisville/Jefferson County Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Louisville/Jefferson County median: $234,091/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Louisville/Jefferson County Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $222,309 | +5.30% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | -5.95% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earn a median of $234,091 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.95% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 5.30% above the Kentucky state average of $222,309.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Louisville/Jefferson County has a cost of living 6.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY has a cost-of-living index of 93.074 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $234,091 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $251,511 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.44% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$148,810
2025 BLS Actual
$222,520
2026 Current Est.
$234,091
2019–2027 Growth
+65.5%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Louisville/Jefferson County (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $148,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $146,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $183,977 | Actual |
| 2022 | $191,012 | Actual |
| 2023 | $215,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $208,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $222,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $234,091 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $246,264 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisville/Jefferson County metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 49.5% from $148,810 (2019) to $222,520 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $246,264 by 2027 — a total increase of $97,454 (65.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisville/Jefferson County 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) | $222,814 – $222,814 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $222,814 – $234,091 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $234,091 – $234,102 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $234,102 – $326,625 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Louisville/Jefferson County
The job market in Louisville/Jefferson County employs around 710 nurse anesthetists, indicating a robust demand for skilled practitioners despite the cost of living index standing at 93.074, which is below the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance the purchasing power of earnings compared to higher-cost regions. Hospitals and regional surgical centers typically offer the highest salaries, but the compensation can vary considerably based on workweek requirements, call coverage rotations, and the financial structures of different employer types. The variations in pay stem from factors such as weekend and holiday differentials and the potential for bonuses related to OR efficiency. For those seeking to maximize their nurse anesthetist pay in Louisville/Jefferson County, exploring positions in high-demand settings, negotiating favorable call rotations, and considering involvement in partnership-track group practices could yield significant financial benefits.
More salary data for Louisville/Jefferson County, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY in 2026?
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Louisville/Jefferson County?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nurse anesthetist salary in Louisville/Jefferson County?
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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 $222,520 for nurse anesthetistsin the Louisville/Jefferson County 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, 5-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