Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Wake Forest, NC: $229,457 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Wake Forest, NC earns a median $229,457/year (≈ $110.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Wake Forest's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $245,146 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a career as a nurse anesthetist directly employs unique compensation structures influenced by practice settings. Nurse anesthetists in Wake Forest, NC, earn a median annual salary of $229,457, with a salary range spanning from $159,072 at the 10th percentile to $333,505 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect a compensation framework that varies significantly depending on whether professionals are employed in a hospital setting or working as independent practitioners under 1099 arrangements. This differentiation not only affects the total income but also impacts the benefits, work-life balance, and job security available, thereby shaping the appeal of various employment paths within the healthcare system in Wake Forest.
About the Wake Forest Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $159,072 | $76.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $200,134 | $96.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $229,457 | $110.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $289,033 | $138.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $333,505 | $160.34 |
Median Salary Position
7.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wake Forest
In Wake Forest, NC, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $174,433 (2026 est.). At $229,457, the local median is 7.81% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wake Forest Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Wake Forest median: $229,457/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $232,715 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -7.81% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Wake Forest, NC earn a median of $229,457 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 $232,715.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wake Forest 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.
Wake Forest, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $229,457 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $245,146 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$161,141
2025 BLS Actual
$218,115
2026 Current Est.
$229,457
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Wake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $161,141 | Actual |
| 2020 | $169,244 | Actual |
| 2021 | $180,335 | Actual |
| 2022 | $187,231 | Actual |
| 2023 | $196,044 | Actual |
| 2024 | $193,793 | Actual |
| 2025 | $218,115 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $229,457 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $241,389 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wake Forest metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $161,141 (2019) to $218,115 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $241,389 by 2027 — a total increase of $80,248 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wake Forest 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) | $159,072 – $200,134 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $200,134 – $229,457 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $229,457 – $289,033 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $289,033 – $333,505 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Wake Forest
Analyzing the job market reveals that only nine nurse anesthetists currently practice in Wake Forest, underscoring a relatively limited but potentially stable employment landscape. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 93.6, suggesting that the take-home purchasing power may favor those who negotiate well, particularly in relation to benefits and bonuses. Larger employers, such as hospital systems and CRNA-owned anesthesia practices, often provide more competitive compensation packages due to better funding and stability compared to locum tenens or smaller entities. The substantial variation in pay can stem from factors like call coverage rotations and the respective demand for CRNAs at local facilities, which can translate into significant differences in pay; for instance, higher demand may reward longer call hours or trauma center assignments. For those navigating this market, focusing on maximizing pay through employer selection, understanding the nuances of incentive programs, and negotiating effectively for partnership tracks can significantly enhance overall earnings in Wake Forest.
More salary data for Wake Forest, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Wake Forest?
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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 $218,115 for nurse anesthetistsin the Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest 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