Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Durham, NC: $239,821 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Durham, NC earns a median $239,821/year (≈ $115.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Durham's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $256,219 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Durham, NC, is projected to reach a median of $239,821. This figure places the local compensation slightly below the national median of $248,893. The expected salary range for nurse anesthetists in this region spans from $141,500 at the 10th percentile to $367,649 at the 90th percentile, indicating a broad distribution that reflects varying levels of experience and practice settings. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, accounting for local economic conditions and the cost of living. The dynamic nature of anesthesia practices in Durham, a city operating under the Anesthesia Care Team model, further influences salary considerations for nurse anesthetists, particularly those navigating the employment landscape in hospitals and private practices.
About the Durham Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $141,500 | $68.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $210,536 | $101.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $239,821 | $115.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $301,716 | $145.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $367,649 | $176.76 |
Median Salary Position
3.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durham
In Durham, NC, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $226,149 (2026 est.). At $239,821, the local median is 3.64% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Durham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Durham Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Durham median: $239,821/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $232,836 | +3.00% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | -3.64% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Durham, NC earn a median of $239,821 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.64% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 3.00% above the North Carolina state average of $232,836.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durham 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.
Durham, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $239,821 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $256,219 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$168,419
2025 BLS Actual
$227,967
2026 Current Est.
$239,821
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $168,419 | Actual |
| 2020 | $176,889 | Actual |
| 2021 | $188,481 | Actual |
| 2022 | $195,688 | Actual |
| 2023 | $189,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $202,546 | Actual |
| 2025 | $227,967 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $239,821 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $252,292 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durham metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $168,419 (2019) to $227,967 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $252,292 by 2027 — a total increase of $83,873 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durham 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) | $141,500 – $210,536 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $210,536 – $239,821 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $239,821 – $301,716 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $301,716 – $367,649 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Durham
Examining the local job market, Durham employs approximately 67 nurse anesthetists, contributing to a competitive atmosphere for these professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, the region offers a relatively affordable living compared to the national average, thereby enhancing overall purchasing power for nurse anesthetists. Notably, hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers tend to offer the highest salaries, especially for those working in trauma centers or with high call coverage rotation demands. Factors such as weekend differentials, OR efficiency bonuses, and the taxation structure between W-2 and 1099 roles further drive income variability in the area. To maximize earnings, nurse anesthetists in Durham should consider affiliations with CRNA-owned groups or locum tenens opportunities, which can provide lucrative compensation arrangements, especially through partnership tracks and profit-sharing. Understanding these local dynamics is essential for evaluating nurse anesthetist pay in Durham, NC.
More salary data for Durham, 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 $227,967 for nurse anesthetistsin the Durham 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 Durham 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