Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Gastonia, NC: $285,758 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Gastonia, NC earns a median $285,758/year (≈ $137.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Gastonia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $305,297 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.8% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Nurse anesthetists in Gastonia, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $285,758 in 2026, which is considerably higher than the national average for the profession. This reflects a robust salary range from $189,946 at the 10th percentile to $404,774 at the 90th percentile, showcasing significant variability based on call coverage and lifestyle factors. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, indicate that while some CRNAs enjoy high earnings, others face substantial differences based on their work arrangements and responsibilities. The job market in Gastonia reveals a growing demand for nurse anesthetists, contributing positively to the local healthcare landscape.
About the Gastonia Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $189,946 | $91.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $249,596 | $120.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $285,758 | $137.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $354,274 | $170.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $404,774 | $194.60 |
Median Salary Position
14.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gastonia
In Gastonia, NC, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $214,828 (2026 est.). At $285,758, the local median is 14.81% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gastonia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gastonia Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Gastonia median: $285,758/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gastonia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $232,702 | +22.80% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +14.81% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Gastonia, NC earn a median of $285,758 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.81% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 22.80% above the North Carolina state average of $232,702.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gastonia 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.
Gastonia, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $285,758 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $305,297 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$200,679
2025 BLS Actual
$271,633
2026 Current Est.
$285,758
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Gastonia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $200,679 | Actual |
| 2020 | $210,771 | Actual |
| 2021 | $224,583 | Actual |
| 2022 | $233,171 | Actual |
| 2023 | $244,147 | Actual |
| 2024 | $190,446 | Actual |
| 2025 | $271,633 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $285,758 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $300,617 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gastonia metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $200,679 (2019) to $271,633 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $300,617 by 2027 — a total increase of $99,938 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gastonia 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) | $189,946 – $249,596 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $249,596 – $285,758 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $285,758 – $354,274 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $354,274 – $404,774 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Gastonia
The employment of 16 nurse anesthetists in Gastonia suggests a localized job market with opportunities largely concentrated within hospital systems and ambulatory surgery centers. Given the area's cost of living index of 93.6, which is below the national average, the take-home purchasing power for local CRNAs can be quite favorable. Employers that provide the highest compensation often include well-established hospital systems, as they can afford to pay higher wages for W-2 employed positions. Variations in pay within the community result from factors such as call coverage rotation differences—ranging from 1-in-8 to 1-in-5—and the potential for weekend and holiday differentials. Additionally, efficiency bonuses and profit-sharing structures in CRNA-owned practices can significantly elevate earnings. Understanding these dynamics can help nurse anesthetists maximize pay in Gastonia, particularly by negotiating contract terms that capitalize on less demanding call requirements and enhancing their skills in trauma or pain management.
More salary data for Gastonia, 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 $271,633 for nurse anesthetistsin the Gastonia 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 Gastonia 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