Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Carlsbad, NM: $205,377 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Carlsbad, NM earns a median $205,377/year (≈ $98.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Carlsbad's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $217,560 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a nurse anesthetist in Carlsbad, New Mexico, can expect a median annual salary of $205,377, which reflects a notable difference compared to the national median of $248,893. This salary incorporates a wide range that stretches from $139,681 at the 10th percentile to $282,219 at the 90th percentile, indicating variance based on factors such as employer type and experience. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, with adjustments for regional cost differentials. Understanding the structural dynamics between W-2 salary positions and 1099 group-practice roles is crucial, as it directly shapes overall compensation. Carlsbad presents a unique job market where roles are influenced by local healthcare demands and practice regulations, particularly under the Anesthesia Care Team model, which can impact earnings significantly.
About the Carlsbad Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($205,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $139,681 | $67.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $181,839 | $87.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $205,377 | $98.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $250,324 | $120.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $282,219 | $135.69 |
Median Salary Position
17.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carlsbad
In Carlsbad, NM, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $142,538 (2026 est.). At $205,377, the local median is 17.48% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carlsbad: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carlsbad Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Carlsbad median: $205,377/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carlsbad Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $216,642 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -17.48% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Carlsbad, NM earn a median of $205,377 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.48% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 5.20% below the New Mexico state average of $216,642.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carlsbad has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carlsbad, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $205,377 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $217,560 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% 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
$144,230
2025 BLS Actual
$195,225
2026 Current Est.
$205,377
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Carlsbad (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $144,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $151,483 | Actual |
| 2021 | $161,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $167,582 | Actual |
| 2023 | $175,471 | Actual |
| 2024 | $183,487 | Actual |
| 2025 | $195,225 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $205,377 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $216,056 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carlsbad metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $144,230 (2019) to $195,225 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $216,056 by 2027 — a total increase of $71,826 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carlsbad 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) | $139,681 – $181,839 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $181,839 – $205,377 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $205,377 – $250,324 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $250,324 – $282,219 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Carlsbad
With only seven nurse anesthetists currently operating in Carlsbad, the local job market presents a niche environment that can both limit and enhance earning opportunities. The cost-of-living index stands at 94.4, signaling that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains relatively favorable for those residing in the area. Among the leading employers, hospital systems and ambulatory surgery centers typically offer the most competitive pay, particularly through W-2 contracts. Factors driving compensation variability include call coverage rotations—where a schedule of 1-in-8 versus 1-in-5 can alter remuneration significantly—alongside additional incentives like trauma center stipends or productivity bonuses. For nurse anesthetists in Carlsbad, maximizing earning potential may involve pursuing positions in high-demand facilities and considering locum tenens opportunities, which can offer different financial advantages under 1099 structures.
More salary data for Carlsbad, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Carlsbad, NM in 2026?
Is Carlsbad, NM a good place to work as a nurse anesthetist?
Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Carlsbad?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nurse anesthetist salary in Carlsbad?
How much does a nurse anesthetist make per hour in Carlsbad?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Mexico
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 $195,225 for nurse anesthetistsin the Carlsbad 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 Carlsbad 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