Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Columbus, OH: $243,864 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Columbus, OH earns a median $243,864/year (≈ $117.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $255,438 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbus, Ohio, the nurse anesthetist salary is projected to reach a median of $243,864 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $248,893. The compensation range for this role can vary significantly, with the lowest earners making approximately $232,955 and the highest reaching around $393,132. These figures are extracted from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflecting the interplay between call coverage duties and lifestyle choices in this urban setting. The breadth of pay points often relates to critical factors such as the nature of shifts, including call rotations and weekend obligations, illustrating how labor demands directly impact earning potential for nurse anesthetists in the local market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $232,955 | $112.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $232,965 | $112.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $243,864 | $117.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $341,679 | $164.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $393,132 | $189.00 |
Median Salary Position
2.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, OH, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $160,177 (2026 est.). At $243,864, the local median is 2.02% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Columbus Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Columbus median: $243,864/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $242,410 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | -2.02% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Columbus, OH earn a median of $243,864 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.02% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 0.60% above the Ohio state average of $242,410.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 4.53% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, OH has a cost-of-living index of 95.469 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $243,864 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $255,438 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.75% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$191,610
2025 BLS Actual
$231,810
2026 Current Est.
$243,864
2019–2027 Growth
+33.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $191,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $189,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $169,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $179,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $199,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $224,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $231,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $243,864 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $256,545 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 21.0% from $191,610 (2019) to $231,810 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $256,545 by 2027 — a total increase of $64,935 (33.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $232,955 – $232,965 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $232,965 – $243,864 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $243,864 – $341,679 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $341,679 – $393,132 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Columbus
With an employment level of 450 nurse anesthetists in the area, Columbus offers a stable job market infused with opportunities for growth. The cost of living index for the city stands at 95.469, which is below the national average, suggesting greater purchasing power for salaries earned. Competitive compensation is often found within hospital systems and ambulatory surgery centers that either offer W-2 employment or 1099 contracting roles. Variations in pay can arise from factors such as weekend and holiday differentials, partnership opportunities within CRNA-owned anesthesia groups, and nuances in tax structuring between employment types. For those looking to maximize their earnings, focusing on high-demand facilities, negotiating call coverage adjustments, and exploring roles within trauma centers or pain management clinics can significantly impact income trajectories in Columbus, OH.
More salary data for Columbus, OH:
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 $231,810 for nurse anesthetistsin the Columbus 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, 7-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