Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Chapel Hill, NC: $232,333 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Chapel Hill, NC earns a median $232,333/year (≈ $111.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Chapel Hill's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $248,219 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Chapel Hill, NC, stands at a median of $232,333, reflecting a competitive compensation level compared to national figures. With local earnings ranging from $147,119 at the 10th percentile to $343,484 at the 90th percentile, the financial landscape for nurse anesthetists showcases substantial variability. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, place Chapel Hill's wages approximately 6.65% below the national median of $248,893 for the same year. Even with this slight deviation, the opportunities for skilled professionals remain robust, particularly as nurse anesthetists in Chapel Hill find themselves in a market that is both growing and adequately compensatory for the specialized services they provide within the healthcare framework.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $147,119 | $70.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $197,267 | $94.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $232,333 | $111.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $287,281 | $138.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $343,484 | $165.13 |
Median Salary Position
6.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chapel Hill
In Chapel Hill, NC, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $196,365 (2026 est.). At $232,333, the local median is 6.65% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chapel Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chapel Hill Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Chapel Hill median: $232,333/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chapel Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $232,799 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -6.65% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $232,333 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.65% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 0.20% below the North Carolina state average of $232,799.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chapel Hill 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.
Chapel Hill, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $232,333 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $248,219 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$163,161
2025 BLS Actual
$220,849
2026 Current Est.
$232,333
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $163,161 | Actual |
| 2020 | $171,366 | Actual |
| 2021 | $182,596 | Actual |
| 2022 | $189,578 | Actual |
| 2023 | $198,502 | Actual |
| 2024 | $196,221 | Actual |
| 2025 | $220,849 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $232,333 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $244,414 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $163,161 (2019) to $220,849 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $244,414 by 2027 — a total increase of $81,253 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill 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) | $147,119 – $197,267 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $197,267 – $232,333 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $232,333 – $287,281 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $287,281 – $343,484 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Chapel Hill
As of 2026, there are currently nine nurse anesthetists employed in Chapel Hill, reinforcing a concentrated but stable job market in this specialized field. The cost of living in the area, indexed at 93.6, suggests that take-home pay will stretch further than in many higher-cost regions, making the local compensation even more appealing. Major employers, such as hospital systems and ambulatory surgery centers, tend to lead in compensation, but CRNA-owned anesthesia groups are increasingly gaining traction, especially for those seeking partnership opportunities. The pay disparities can be influenced by various factors like call coverage rotations, holiday differentials, and the structure of compensation employed. Practical strategies for maximizing earnings in this Chapel Hill market include seeking positions with favorable tax implications, considering locum tenens roles, and pursuing work in specialized facilities like trauma centers that offer additional stipends.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, 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 $220,849 for nurse anesthetistsin the Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill 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