Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Amherst, MA: $267,594 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Amherst, MA earns a median $267,594/year (≈ $128.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Amherst's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $246,630 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, nurse anesthetists in Amherst, Massachusetts, can anticipate a median annual salary of $267,594. This figure is notably above the national median of $248,893, indicating a favorable compensation landscape for CRNAs in the area. The salary range reflects a broad spectrum of opportunities, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $172,463 and top earners approaching $364,642. This data, derived from 2025 BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and adjusted for regional cost variations, suggests that nurses entering the field can secure a competitive income that correlates with their clinical expertise and choice of practice structure. Given the prevalence of both W-2 hospital positions and 1099 contract work in the region, those exploring career paths in the anesthetic realm of Amherst have robust potential for financial growth.
About the Amherst Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($235,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $172,463 | $82.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $245,352 | $117.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $267,594 | $128.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $324,286 | $155.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $364,642 | $175.31 |
Median Salary Position
7.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Amherst
In Amherst, MA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $192,179 (2026 est.). At $267,594, the local median is 7.51% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Amherst: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Amherst Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Amherst median: $267,594/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Amherst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $270,024 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | +7.51% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Amherst, MA earn a median of $267,594 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.51% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 0.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $270,024.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Amherst has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Amherst, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $267,594 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $246,630 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$187,923
2025 BLS Actual
$254,367
2026 Current Est.
$267,594
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Amherst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $187,923 | Actual |
| 2020 | $197,374 | Actual |
| 2021 | $210,308 | Actual |
| 2022 | $218,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $228,628 | Actual |
| 2024 | $252,658 | Actual |
| 2025 | $254,367 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $267,594 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $281,509 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Amherst metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $187,923 (2019) to $254,367 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $281,509 by 2027 — a total increase of $93,586 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amherst 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) | $172,463 – $245,352 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $245,352 – $267,594 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $267,594 – $324,286 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $324,286 – $364,642 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Amherst
In the surrounding job market, there are currently six nurse anesthetists employed, indicating a specialized but potentially strategic community for practitioners. The cost-of-living index in Amherst stands at 108.5, which slightly exceeds the national average, impacting take-home purchasing power for healthcare professionals. Local employers tend to favor W-2 structures, particularly hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers, but CRNA-owned practices are gaining traction, offering attractive partnership options that could lead to enhanced pay. The variance in compensation often stems from factors such as weekend and holiday differentials, call coverage rotations, and productivity incentives. For those looking to maximize nurse anesthetist pay in Amherst, considering roles that offer partnership tracks or lucrative locum tenens assignments could be wise. Balancing the intricacies of employment type with the unique dynamics of the Amherst healthcare market will be crucial for achieving optimal earnings.
More salary data for Amherst, MA:
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 $254,367 for nurse anesthetistsin the Amherst 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 Amherst 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