Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Pennsylvania: $239,086 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $239,086/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $245,468 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Philadelphia ($238,540), Pittsburgh ($223,570), York ($219,980).
In 2026, nurse anesthetists in Pennsylvania are projected to earn an average median salary of $239,086, which falls 3.9% below the national median of $248,893. The variance in salaries across different cities is significant; for instance, Philadelphia offers the highest average at $250,944, while Scranton presents the lowest at $210,190, reflecting a salary gap of $40,754. This discrepancy is driven by factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local healthcare infrastructure. Pennsylvania's state licensing requirements for nurse anesthetists include obtaining a master's degree in nurse anesthesia and passing national certification exams. The scope of practice laws in Pennsylvania allow nurse anesthetists to operate somewhat independently, which can influence salary based on the level of responsibility and type of practice settings. Additionally, the overall demand for anesthesiology services in healthcare facilities continues to be a key driver of job opportunities in the state. The job market for nurse anesthetists in Pennsylvania is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.20%, indicating a steady demand for these professionals. With 2,459 nurse anesthetists currently employed in the state, the outlook for new entrants remains positive, particularly in urban areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which offer some of the highest salaries in the field.
Pennsylvania Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $139,903 (lowest entry-level) to $393,606 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania nurse anesthetists earn 3.94% less than the national median ($-9,807/year difference).
Pennsylvania Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in Pennsylvania range from $182,684 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $355,246 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $239,086. The Pennsylvania median is $9,807 below the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $114.94/hr. Approximately 2,459 nurse anesthetists are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$165,857
2025 BLS Actual
$227,268
2026 Current Est.
$239,086
2019–2027 Growth
+51.6%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $165,857 | Actual |
| 2020 | $181,837 | Actual |
| 2021 | $168,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $197,819 | Actual |
| 2023 | $203,695 | Actual |
| 2024 | $215,402 | Actual |
| 2025 | $227,268 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $239,086 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $251,518 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 37.0% from $165,857 (2019) to $227,268 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $251,518 by 2027 — a total increase of $85,661 (51.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Scranton | $210,190 |
| West Chester | $212,785 |
| Pottstown | $214,357 |
| Johnstown | $216,083 |
| State College | $216,736 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | $235,196 | 94.671 | $248,435 |
| Erie | $223,150 | 90.95 | $245,355 |
| Philadelphia | $250,944 | 102.554 | $244,695 |
| York | $231,419 | 96 | $241,061 |
| Bethlehem | $227,519 | 97.4 | $233,592 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $182,684 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $239,086 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $355,246 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $250,944 |
| 2 | Pittsburgh | $235,196 |
| 3 | York | $231,419 |
| 4 | Bethlehem | $227,519 |
| 5 | Williamsport | $225,149 |
| 6 | Reading | $224,084 |
| 7 | Lebanon | $223,932 |
| 8 | Wilkes-Barre | $223,667 |
| 9 | Erie | $223,150 |
| 10 | Allentown | $222,109 |
| 11 | Lancaster | $221,781 |
| 12 | Hazleton | $220,563 |
| 13 | Norristown | $220,139 |
| 14 | Chester | $219,628 |
| 15 | Harrisburg | $219,530 |
| 16 | Altoona | $218,729 |
| 17 | Easton | $218,297 |
| 18 | New Castle | $217,451 |
| 19 | Chambersburg | $217,331 |
| 20 | State College | $216,736 |
| 21 | Johnstown | $216,083 |
| 22 | Pottstown | $214,357 |
| 23 | West Chester | $212,785 |
| 24 | Scranton | $210,190 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse anesthetist hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse anesthetists in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in Pennsylvania?
How many nurse anesthetists are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania city offers the best value for nurse anesthetists?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse anesthetist compensation across Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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