Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Apex, NC: $234,305 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Apex, NC earns a median $234,305/year (≈ $112.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Apex's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $250,326 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, nurse anesthetists in Apex, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $234,305, which is slightly below the national median of $248,893. The local salary range spans from $151,576 at the 10th percentile to $326,979 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities within this profession in the region. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions and the cost of living in Apex. Given the trends and the growth rate of 5.20% annually, the job market for nurse anesthetists in Apex showcases stability, especially as the demand for anesthesia services continues to rise in various healthcare settings.
About the Apex Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $151,576 | $72.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $210,278 | $101.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $234,305 | $112.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $286,997 | $137.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $326,979 | $157.20 |
Median Salary Position
5.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apex
In Apex, NC, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $175,403 (2026 est.). At $234,305, the local median is 5.86% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apex: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apex Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Apex median: $234,305/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apex Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $232,676 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | -5.86% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Apex, NC earn a median of $234,305 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.86% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 0.70% above the North Carolina state average of $232,676.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apex has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apex, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $234,305 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $250,326 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$164,545
2025 BLS Actual
$222,723
2026 Current Est.
$234,305
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Apex (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $164,545 | Actual |
| 2020 | $172,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $184,145 | Actual |
| 2022 | $191,187 | Actual |
| 2023 | $200,186 | Actual |
| 2024 | $197,887 | Actual |
| 2025 | $222,723 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $234,305 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $246,488 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apex metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $164,545 (2019) to $222,723 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $246,488 by 2027 — a total increase of $81,943 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apex 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) | $151,576 – $210,278 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $210,278 – $234,305 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $234,305 – $286,997 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $286,997 – $326,979 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Apex
Analyzing the local job market reveals that 16 nurse anesthetists practice in Apex, underscoring a concentrated demand for anesthesia professionals. The cost-of-living index stands at 93.6, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power for residents is enhanced by the affordability of living in the area. The top-paying employers often include hospital systems and ambulatory surgery centers, which may offer more consistent salaried positions, while CRNA-owned practices provide partnership opportunities that can lead to higher earnings over time. Factors influencing pay disparities include call coverage rotations, weekend differentials, and potential bonuses tied to operational efficiency. For those looking to maximize their pay in Apex, strategically negotiating contracts and considering opportunities with hospitals or established anesthesia groups can significantly impact overall compensation.
More salary data for Apex, NC:
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 $222,723 for nurse anesthetistsin the Apex 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 Apex 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