Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Cary, NC: $162,546 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Cary, NC earns a median $162,546/year (≈ $78.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Cary's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $173,660 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 30.2% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cary, North Carolina, nurse anesthetists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $162,546 in 2026, which reflects the regional choices made between employment structures such as W-2 hospital positions and 1099 group-practice arrangements. The salary range for these professionals extends from $110,150 at the 10th percentile to $240,341 at the 90th percentile, indicating a substantial variance in pay based on factors like employer type, experience, and specific job demands. This data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for regional cost differences, reveals the economic landscape for nurse anesthetists in Cary, which is characterized by competitive compensation despite being lower than the national median salary of $248,893.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $110,150 | $52.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $143,806 | $69.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $162,546 | $78.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $200,529 | $96.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $240,341 | $115.55 |
Median Salary Position
34.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cary
In Cary, NC, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $130,191 (2026 est.). At $162,546, the local median is 34.69% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cary Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Cary median: $162,546/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $232,873 | -30.20% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -34.69% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Cary, NC earn a median of $162,546 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.69% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 30.20% below the North Carolina state average of $232,873.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cary 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.
Cary, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $162,546 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $173,660 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,151
2025 BLS Actual
$154,511
2026 Current Est.
$162,546
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,151 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,891 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,748 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,633 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,876 | Actual |
| 2024 | $197,581 | Actual |
| 2025 | $154,511 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $162,546 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $170,998 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cary metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $114,151 (2019) to $154,511 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $170,998 by 2027 — a total increase of $56,847 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cary 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) | $110,150 – $143,806 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $143,806 – $162,546 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $162,546 – $200,529 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $200,529 – $240,341 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Cary
The local job market for nurse anesthetists shows a stable presence with 44 individuals employed in the area, which suggests consistent demand for their skills. The cost-of-living index in Cary stands at 93.6, indicating that the purchasing power in this region can be more favorable compared to places with higher living costs. Notably, major employers include hospital systems and ambulatory surgery centers, with the highest salaries typically associated with CRNA-owned anesthesia group practices that offer partnership opportunities. Pay discrepancies across positions often stem from variations in call coverage responsibilities, weekend differentials, and productivity bonuses. For those looking to maximize their nurse anesthetist pay in Cary, strategies could include pursuing positions that provide profit-sharing in partnership tracks, negotiating terms of tax structuring, and actively seeking roles that require higher commitment in terms of hours or specialties.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Cary, NC in 2026?
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Cary?
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Related Pages
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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 $154,511 for nurse anesthetistsin the Cary 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 Cary 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