Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Asheville, NC: $235,259 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Asheville, NC earns a median $235,259/year (≈ $113.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Asheville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $243,777 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Asheville, North Carolina, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $235,259, which sits notably below the national median of $248,893. Salary ranges highlight a significant variance, with entry-level positions starting at $130,553 (P10) and experienced practitioners earning as much as $304,428 (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected into 2026, reflect the dynamics of call coverage and lifestyle that can significantly influence earnings. Professionals in Asheville may weigh these salary figures against the demanding nature of the job, particularly when considering the differences in work schedules and call responsibilities that drive pay disparities in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $130,553 | $62.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $130,553 | $62.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $235,259 | $113.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $235,259 | $113.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $304,428 | $146.36 |
Median Salary Position
5.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Asheville
In Asheville, NC, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $173,875 (2026 est.). At $235,259, the local median is 5.48% below the national median of $248,893.
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At 40 hours/week in Asheville: You'd be above the median
How Asheville Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Asheville median: $235,259/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Asheville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $232,699 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | -5.48% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Asheville, NC earn a median of $235,259 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.48% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 1.10% above the North Carolina state average of $232,699.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Asheville has a cost of living 3.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Asheville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.506 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $235,259 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $243,777 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$165,215
2025 BLS Actual
$223,630
2026 Current Est.
$235,259
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Asheville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $165,215 | Actual |
| 2020 | $153,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $165,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $178,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $211,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $191,738 | Actual |
| 2025 | $223,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $235,259 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $247,492 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Asheville metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $165,215 (2019) to $223,630 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $247,492 by 2027 — a total increase of $82,277 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Asheville 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) | $130,553 – $130,553 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $130,553 – $235,259 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $235,259 – $235,259 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $235,259 – $304,428 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Asheville
The local job market for nurse anesthetists appears robust, with approximately 150 professionals employed in the Asheville area. The cost-of-living index, standing at 96.506, suggests that nurse anesthetists may enjoy a relatively comfortable purchasing power compared to national averages, further enhancing the appeal of living in Asheville. Major employers that tend to offer higher compensation include hospital systems and CRNA-owned anesthesia group practices. Disparities in pay often arise from factors such as call coverage expectations, with schedules varying from a demanding 1-in-5 rotation to a more manageable 1-in-8. Additional pay enhancements can come from weekend and holiday differentials, as well as bonuses tied to operational efficiency and productivity. Those aiming to maximize their earnings in the Asheville market should consider negotiating for advantageous terms with employers, exploring partnership tracks in group practices, and seeking opportunities that provide 1099 vs. W-2 structuring benefits.
More salary data for Asheville, 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 $223,630 for nurse anesthetistsin the Asheville 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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