Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Sanford, NC: $229,463 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Sanford, NC earns a median $229,463/year (≈ $110.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Sanford's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $245,153 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The 2026 median annual salary for nurse anesthetists in Sanford, North Carolina, is projected to be $229,463, which is approximately 7.81% lower than the national median of $248,893. This salary range reflects the local market dynamics, with earnings spanning from $151,885 at the 10th percentile to $318,522 at the 90th percentile. Such figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicating an upward trend in compensation within this specialized field. For nurse anesthetists seeking to establish themselves in Sanford, understanding these financial benchmarks is crucial for informed career planning, especially in a region where independent practice opportunities might contrast with the Anesthesia Care Team model prevalent in non-opt-out states.
About the Sanford Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $151,885 | $73.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $200,079 | $96.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $229,463 | $110.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $281,635 | $135.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $318,522 | $153.14 |
Median Salary Position
7.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sanford
In Sanford, NC, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $166,637 (2026 est.). At $229,463, the local median is 7.81% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sanford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sanford Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Sanford median: $229,463/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sanford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $232,721 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -7.81% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Sanford, NC earn a median of $229,463 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.81% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $232,721.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sanford 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.
Sanford, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $229,463 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $245,153 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$161,145
2025 BLS Actual
$218,121
2026 Current Est.
$229,463
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Sanford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $161,145 | Actual |
| 2020 | $169,249 | Actual |
| 2021 | $180,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $187,236 | Actual |
| 2023 | $196,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $193,798 | Actual |
| 2025 | $218,121 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $229,463 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $241,395 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sanford metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $161,145 (2019) to $218,121 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $241,395 by 2027 — a total increase of $80,250 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sanford 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) | $151,885 – $200,079 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $200,079 – $229,463 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $229,463 – $281,635 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $281,635 – $318,522 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Sanford
In Sanford, the job market for nurse anesthetists is relatively stable, with only five professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 93.6, suggesting that while salaries may be lower compared to national figures, the purchasing power in this locale is somewhat favorable. Among the main employers, hospital systems tend to offer the highest salaries, often complemented by benefits, while CRNA-owned practices and ambulatory surgery centers provide alternative routes that may enhance earnings through different compensation structures, including 1099 arrangements. The disparity in pay often stems from varying factors such as call coverage rotations, which can affect work-life balance and overall income. To maximize earnings, candidates should consider negotiating terms related to weekend differential pay or exploring partnership opportunities in group practices. Understanding how much nurse anesthetists make in Sanford requires a focus on these local employment dynamics and compensation strategies.
More salary data for Sanford, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Sanford, NC in 2026?
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Sanford?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nurse anesthetist salary in Sanford?
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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 $218,121 for nurse anesthetistsin the Sanford 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 Sanford 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