Nurse Anesthetist Salary in North Carolina: $261,326 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $261,326/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $279,194 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Fayetteville ($331,760), Greensboro ($297,560), High Point ($292,978).
The average median salary for nurse anesthetists in North Carolina is projected to be $247,353 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $246,136, reflecting a difference of 0.5%. Salary variations across cities show a significant gap, with the highest-paying city, Charlotte, offering $263,305, while Pinehurst presents the lowest salary at $200,899. This discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local competition among healthcare facilities. North Carolina's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws support a strong job market for nurse anesthetists, and the projected annual growth rate stands at 5.01%. With a total of 2,189 nurse anesthetists employed statewide, cities such as Winston ($260,648), Hickory ($249,720), Greensboro ($245,982), and Raleigh ($228,688) reflect a robust demand for anesthesia services, further enhancing employment opportunities in the healthcare sector.
North Carolina Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $75,534 (lowest entry-level) to $461,308 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina nurse anesthetists earn 5.00% more than the national median (+$12,433/year difference).
North Carolina Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in North Carolina range from $161,784 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $334,874 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $261,326. The North Carolina median is $12,433 above the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $125.64/hr. Approximately 2,446 nurse anesthetists are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$183,240
2025 BLS Actual
$248,408
2026 Current Est.
$261,326
2019–2027 Growth
+50.0%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $183,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $182,784 | Actual |
| 2021 | $187,417 | Actual |
| 2022 | $208,918 | Actual |
| 2023 | $215,303 | Actual |
| 2024 | $224,314 | Actual |
| 2025 | $248,408 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $261,326 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $274,915 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.6% from $183,240 (2019) to $248,408 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $274,915 by 2027 — a total increase of $91,675 (50.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $349,012 | 91.978 | $379,452 |
| Greensboro | $313,033 | 92.865 | $337,084 |
| High Point | $308,213 | 93.6 | $329,287 |
| Concord | $296,760 | 93.6 | $317,051 |
| Gastonia | $285,758 | 93.6 | $305,297 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $161,784 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $261,326 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $334,874 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville | $349,012 |
| 2 | Greensboro | $313,033 |
| 3 | High Point | $308,213 |
| 4 | Concord | $296,760 |
| 5 | Charlotte | $291,983 |
| 6 | Gastonia | $285,758 |
| 7 | Winston-Salem | $241,203 |
| 8 | Durham | $239,821 |
| 9 | Asheville | $235,259 |
| 10 | Huntersville | $235,227 |
| 11 | Kannapolis | $234,858 |
| 12 | Apex | $234,305 |
| 13 | Jacksonville | $233,881 |
| 14 | Chapel Hill | $232,333 |
| 15 | Statesville | $230,799 |
| 16 | Kernersville | $230,602 |
| 17 | Wilmington | $230,209 |
| 18 | Matthews | $230,060 |
| 19 | Cornelius | $229,662 |
| 20 | Sanford | $229,463 |
| 21 | Wake Forest | $229,457 |
| 22 | Morrisville | $229,355 |
| 23 | Fuquay-Varina | $228,741 |
| 24 | Salisbury | $228,705 |
| 25 | Thomasville | $228,325 |
| 26 | New Bern | $228,236 |
| 27 | Mint Hill | $228,181 |
| 28 | Burlington | $228,020 |
| 29 | Winston | $227,379 |
| 30 | Greenville | $227,300 |
| 31 | Rocky Mount | $226,047 |
| 32 | Hickory | $224,739 |
| 33 | Holly Springs | $224,569 |
| 34 | Mooresville | $223,865 |
| 35 | Monroe | $223,774 |
| 36 | Garner | $223,269 |
| 37 | Wilson | $223,106 |
| 38 | Boone | $222,139 |
| 39 | Indian Trail | $220,216 |
| 40 | Carrboro | $219,357 |
| 41 | Leland | $216,119 |
| 42 | Pinehurst | $215,716 |
| 43 | Raleigh | $163,323 |
| 44 | Cary | $162,546 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse anesthetist hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse anesthetists in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in North Carolina?
How many nurse anesthetists are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for nurse anesthetists?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse anesthetist compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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