Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $241,203 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Winston-Salem, NC earns a median $241,203/year (≈ $115.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Winston-Salem's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $257,696 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Winston-Salem, the projected median annual salary for nurse anesthetists in 2026 is $241,203, slightly below the national average of $248,893, reflecting specific market dynamics. Compensation in this role can vary significantly, with a salary range from $144,668 at the 10th percentile to $357,246 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional price variances, emphasize the financial benefits of the W-2 employment structure often found in established hospital systems, compared to the potentially higher earning opportunities typical of 1099 arrangements with group practice settings. As the local market evolves, strategies for structuring employment and compensation will remain crucial for maximizing earnings in the field of nurse anesthesia.
About the Winston-Salem Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $144,668 | $69.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $199,252 | $95.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $241,203 | $115.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $304,973 | $146.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $357,246 | $171.75 |
Median Salary Position
3.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston-Salem
In Winston-Salem, NC, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $212,578 (2026 est.). At $241,203, the local median is 3.09% below the national median of $248,893.
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At 40 hours/week in Winston-Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston-Salem Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Winston-Salem median: $241,203/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston-Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $232,821 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | -3.09% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $241,203 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.09% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $232,821.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston-Salem 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.
Winston-Salem, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $241,203 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $257,696 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$169,389
2025 BLS Actual
$229,280
2026 Current Est.
$241,203
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $169,389 | Actual |
| 2020 | $177,908 | Actual |
| 2021 | $189,566 | Actual |
| 2022 | $196,815 | Actual |
| 2023 | $206,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $203,712 | Actual |
| 2025 | $229,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $241,203 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $253,745 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston-Salem metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $169,389 (2019) to $229,280 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $253,745 by 2027 — a total increase of $84,356 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston-Salem 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) | $144,668 – $199,252 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $199,252 – $241,203 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $241,203 – $304,973 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $304,973 – $357,246 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Winston-Salem
The local job market employs 59 nurse anesthetists, creating a niche but competitive setting in Winston-Salem. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, take-home pay generally stretches further than in many other regions, adding to the attractiveness of practicing here. Employers across varied settings—hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and anesthesia group practices—have differing pay scales based on specific roles and qualifications. Factors influencing earnings include call coverage rotations, weekend and holiday differentials, and bonuses tied to operational efficiency. For nurse anesthetists aiming to maximize their pay, establishing roles in higher-compensating environments, focused on partnerships in group practices, or those with stipends for managing trauma in hospital settings, can enhance overall financial outcome.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Winston-Salem, NC in 2026?
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Winston-Salem?
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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 $229,280 for nurse anesthetistsin the Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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