Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Louisville, KY: $242,318 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Louisville, KY earns a median $242,318/year (≈ $116.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Louisville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $271,353 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% above the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary projected at $242,318 in 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Louisville reflects the balancing act between call coverage demands and lifestyle choices that play a significant role in salary variations. Professionals in this field can expect to earn between $146,311 at the 10th percentile and as much as $359,914 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide range of compensation depending on individual circumstances. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and regional adjustments, capturing the local market dynamics that influence earnings. As nurse anesthetists weigh opportunities in Louisville, factors such as practice setting and workload expectations can significantly impact their overall remuneration.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($208,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $146,311 | $70.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $201,105 | $96.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $242,318 | $116.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $307,550 | $147.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $359,914 | $173.03 |
Median Salary Position
2.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Louisville
In Louisville, KY, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $213,603 (2026 est.). At $242,318, the local median is 2.64% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Louisville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Louisville Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Louisville median: $242,318/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Louisville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $222,310 | +9.00% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | -2.64% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Louisville, KY earn a median of $242,318 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.64% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $222,310.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Louisville 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.
Louisville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $242,318 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $271,353 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$170,173
2025 BLS Actual
$230,340
2026 Current Est.
$242,318
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $170,173 | Actual |
| 2020 | $178,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $190,443 | Actual |
| 2022 | $197,725 | Actual |
| 2023 | $207,032 | Actual |
| 2024 | $202,505 | Actual |
| 2025 | $230,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $242,318 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $254,918 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisville metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $170,173 (2019) to $230,340 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $254,918 by 2027 — a total increase of $84,745 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisville 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) | $146,311 – $201,105 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $201,105 – $242,318 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $242,318 – $307,550 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $307,550 – $359,914 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Louisville
Analyzing the local job market reveals that 132 nurse anesthetists are currently employed in the area, navigating a cost-of-living index of 89.3, which is below the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance take-home purchasing power for professionals, but it is essential to recognize which employers provide the most competitive salaries. In Louisville, the highest-paying opportunities commonly arise within hospital systems and ambulatory surgery centers, alongside CRNA-owned anesthesia group practices that may offer partnership options. Variations in compensation are often driven by factors such as call coverage rotation, where more favorable schedules can yield higher earnings, and additional incentives like weekend differentials, OR efficiency bonuses, or trauma stipends. For nurse anesthetists looking to maximize their pay in Louisville, aligning with practices that offer structured profit distribution or low patient volume can make a substantial difference in total compensation.
More salary data for Louisville, 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 $230,340 for nurse anesthetistsin the Louisville 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 Louisville 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