Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Cornelius, NC: $229,662 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Cornelius, NC earns a median $229,662/year (≈ $110.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Cornelius's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $245,365 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nurse anesthetists in Cornelius, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $229,662, which reflects a competitive positioning within the broader landscape of the profession. This estimated salary places Cornelius approximately 7.73% below the national median of $248,893 for the same year. The expected salary range for this role varies significantly, with the bottom 10% earning around $164,381 and the upper 90% making up to $311,064. These figures are derived from BLS estimates based on 2025 state-level data and regional price parities, which also underpin the local job market dynamics for CRNAs in a small but critical community within the healthcare network.
About the Cornelius Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $164,381 | $79.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $209,386 | $100.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $229,662 | $110.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $277,167 | $133.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $311,064 | $149.55 |
Median Salary Position
7.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cornelius
In Cornelius, NC, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $146,683 (2026 est.). At $229,662, the local median is 7.73% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cornelius: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cornelius Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Cornelius median: $229,662/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cornelius Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $232,687 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -7.73% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Cornelius, NC earn a median of $229,662 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.73% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 1.30% below the North Carolina state average of $232,687.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cornelius 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.
Cornelius, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $229,662 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $245,365 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$161,285
2025 BLS Actual
$218,310
2026 Current Est.
$229,662
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Cornelius (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $161,285 | Actual |
| 2020 | $169,396 | Actual |
| 2021 | $180,496 | Actual |
| 2022 | $187,398 | Actual |
| 2023 | $196,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $193,965 | Actual |
| 2025 | $218,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $229,662 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $241,605 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cornelius metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $161,285 (2019) to $218,310 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $241,605 by 2027 — a total increase of $80,320 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cornelius 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) | $164,381 – $209,386 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $209,386 – $229,662 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $229,662 – $277,167 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $277,167 – $311,064 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Cornelius
The job market for nurse anesthetists in Cornelius remains stable, with only seven practitioners currently employed in the area. This limited workforce creates opportunities for competitive pay, particularly at institutions that align with CRNA practice models. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, Cornelius presents a more affordable environment for practitioners, allowing them to enjoy enhanced purchasing power compared to national averages. Hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers are among the highest-paying employers, but CRNA-owned anesthesia groups offer attractive partnership routes and profit-sharing potential. Factors influencing salary variations include call coverage demands, weekend differentials, and the efficiency bonuses that well-structured practices can provide. To maximize earnings, nurse anesthetists in this region should consider options that enhance job flexibility and seek to engage in opportunities with profit-sharing agreements, especially within group practices that thrive on collaborative care.
More salary data for Cornelius, 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 $218,310 for nurse anesthetistsin the Cornelius 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 Cornelius 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