Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Wilmington, NC: $230,209 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Wilmington, NC earns a median $230,209/year (≈ $110.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $238,752 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, the salary for nurse anesthetists reflects both local demand and broader market dynamics within the anesthesia healthcare sector. The projected median annual salary for this profession in 2026 is $230,209, which is approximately 7.51% lower than the national median of $248,893 for the same year. The salary range for nurse anesthetists in this region spans from $126,903 at the lower end of the 10th percentile up to $280,084 for those in the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and projected for 2026, indicate a stable yet nuanced compensation structure in Wilmington's job market for nurse anesthetists.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $126,903 | $61.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $230,209 | $110.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $230,209 | $110.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $280,084 | $134.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $280,084 | $134.66 |
Median Salary Position
7.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $153,181 (2026 est.). At $230,209, the local median is 7.51% below the national median of $248,893.
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At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be above the median
How Wilmington Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $230,209/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $232,770 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -7.51% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $230,209 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.51% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 1.10% below the North Carolina state average of $232,770.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $230,209 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $238,752 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$161,669
2025 BLS Actual
$218,830
2026 Current Est.
$230,209
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $161,669 | Actual |
| 2020 | $169,799 | Actual |
| 2021 | $180,926 | Actual |
| 2022 | $187,845 | Actual |
| 2023 | $196,687 | Actual |
| 2024 | $196,469 | Actual |
| 2025 | $218,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $230,209 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $242,180 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $161,669 (2019) to $218,830 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $242,180 by 2027 — a total increase of $80,511 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $126,903 – $230,209 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $230,209 – $230,209 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $230,209 – $280,084 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $280,084 – $280,084 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Wilmington
Wilmington employs around 150 nurse anesthetists, showcasing a robust local job market, especially for those who may wish to work in a less competitive environment than larger cities. The cost of living index in this area is 96.422, which suggests that while salaries may be lower than national averages, the purchasing power remains relatively favorable. Key employers offering competitive pay include local hospital systems and specialized anesthesia group practices. Factors driving the variability in compensation include differences in call coverage responsibilities, like 1-in-8 versus 1-in-5 rotations, as well as bonuses associated with operational efficiency and productivity. For those seeking to maximize their income, exploring partnership opportunities with CRNA-owned practices, engaging in locum tenens work, or considering positions with VA facilities may be advantageous strategies to enhance earning potential in the current Wilmington NC market.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 $218,830 for nurse anesthetistsin the Wilmington 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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