Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Ruston, LA: $220,018 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Ruston, LA earns a median $220,018/year (≈ $105.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Ruston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $243,652 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Ruston, Louisiana, is projected to reach a median of $220,018, reflecting a notable difference from the national median of $248,893. The full salary range spans from $153,696 at the 10th percentile to $298,680 at the 90th percentile, underscoring the significant income variability based on factors such as call coverage arrangements and workplace settings. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments highlight that while salaries in Ruston are competitive, they still trail behind national figures. With just four nurse anesthetists currently employed in the area, the local job market is tightly knit, presenting distinct opportunities and challenges for professionals in the field.
About the Ruston Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($205,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $153,696 | $73.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $196,667 | $94.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $220,018 | $105.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $267,513 | $128.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $298,680 | $143.60 |
Median Salary Position
11.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ruston
In Ruston, LA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $144,984 (2026 est.). At $220,018, the local median is 11.6% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ruston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ruston Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Ruston median: $220,018/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ruston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $228,709 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -11.60% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Ruston, LA earn a median of $220,018 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.60% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $228,709.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ruston has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ruston, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $220,018 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $243,652 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% 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
$154,512
2025 BLS Actual
$209,143
2026 Current Est.
$220,018
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Ruston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $154,512 | Actual |
| 2020 | $162,283 | Actual |
| 2021 | $172,917 | Actual |
| 2022 | $179,529 | Actual |
| 2023 | $187,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $178,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $209,143 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $220,018 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $231,459 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ruston metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $154,512 (2019) to $209,143 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $231,459 by 2027 — a total increase of $76,947 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ruston 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) | $153,696 – $196,667 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $196,667 – $220,018 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $220,018 – $267,513 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $267,513 – $298,680 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Ruston
The cost of living in Ruston, with an index of 90.3, suggests that while salaries might be lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains relatively strong compared to other areas. Employers such as hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and CRNA-owned practices vary significantly in pay scales influenced by factors like call coverage demands and productivity bonuses. Nurse anesthetists seeking to maximize their compensation should consider positions with more favorable call rotations or group practices that offer partnership tracks, where profit distribution can enhance earnings. Understanding the intricacies of the local environment, including potential weekend differentials and the differences between W-2 and 1099 tax structures, can help professionals effectively navigate their salary potential in Ruston LA.
More salary data for Ruston, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Ruston, LA in 2026?
Is Ruston, LA a good place to work as a nurse anesthetist?
Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Ruston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nurse anesthetist salary in Ruston?
How much does a nurse anesthetist make per hour in Ruston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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 $209,143 for nurse anesthetistsin the Ruston 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 Ruston 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