Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Boston, MA: $290,777 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Boston, MA earns a median $290,777/year (≈ $139.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Boston's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $267,997 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nurse anesthetists in Boston, Massachusetts, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $290,777, indicating a healthy uptick compared to the national median of $248,893. The salary range for this specialty varies significantly, from an estimated $192,479 at the 10th percentile to as much as $444,446 at the 90th percentile. These figures represent local estimates based on 2025 BLS Occupational Employment Statistics data, adjusted for regional price parity. The choice between W-2 hospital employment and 1099 arrangements in group practices fundamentally influences compensation trends, with hospital systems generally offering more security and structured benefits, while independent practices can provide higher earning potential for those willing to navigate the challenges of a less predictable income.
About the Boston Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($235,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $192,479 | $92.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $254,098 | $122.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $290,777 | $139.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $364,364 | $175.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $444,446 | $213.67 |
Median Salary Position
16.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boston
In Boston, MA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $251,967 (2026 est.). At $290,777, the local median is 16.83% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Boston Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Boston median: $290,777/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $269,988 | +7.70% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +16.83% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Boston, MA earn a median of $290,777 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.83% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 7.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $269,988.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boston has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boston, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $290,777 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $267,997 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$194,720
2025 BLS Actual
$276,404
2026 Current Est.
$290,777
2019–2027 Growth
+57.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $194,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $191,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $228,528 | Actual |
| 2022 | $214,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $248,435 | Actual |
| 2024 | $274,547 | Actual |
| 2025 | $276,404 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $290,777 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $305,897 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boston metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 41.9% from $194,720 (2019) to $276,404 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $305,897 by 2027 — a total increase of $111,177 (57.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boston 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) | $192,479 – $254,098 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $254,098 – $290,777 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $290,777 – $364,364 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $364,364 – $444,446 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Boston
Boston's employment climate for nurse anesthetists is robust, with 174 professionals currently working in the area. However, the city's cost of living, with an index of 108.5, poses challenges for maintaining take-home purchasing power. Among the highest-paying employers are large hospital systems, which typically offer stable W-2 salaries and benefits packages. In contrast, CRNA-owned anesthesia groups can present lucrative opportunities through partnership tracks and profit distribution. Factors contributing to compensation variability include call coverage requirements, weekend differentials, and potential bonuses for operating room efficiency. Maximizing earnings in Boston may involve targeting high-demand specialty areas or seeking positions that offer profit-sharing structures, all while understanding the implications of employment models on tax liabilities and overall compensation structure.
More salary data for Boston, 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 $276,404 for nurse anesthetistsin the Boston 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 Boston 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