Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Altoona, PA: $218,729 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Altoona, PA earns a median $218,729/year (≈ $105.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Altoona's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $224,568 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Altoona, PA, the projected median annual salary for nurse anesthetists in 2026 is $218,729, which is noticeably lower than the anticipated national median of $248,893. The salaries for nurse anesthetists here fall within a range from $154,737 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $306,236 (P90), reflecting both the local cost of living and the market dynamics. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate how compensation for this role aligns with the federal opt-out versus the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) model commonly in practice across much of Pennsylvania. As the local healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the competitive pay scale reveals significant insights into the demand for nurse anesthetists in Altoona.
About the Altoona Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $154,737 | $74.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $192,744 | $92.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $218,729 | $105.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $270,548 | $130.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $306,236 | $147.23 |
Median Salary Position
12.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Altoona
In Altoona, PA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $151,499 (2026 est.). At $218,729, the local median is 12.12% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Altoona: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Altoona Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Altoona median: $218,729/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Altoona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $227,369 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -12.12% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Altoona, PA earn a median of $218,729 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.12% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 3.80% below the Pennsylvania state average of $227,369.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Altoona has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Altoona, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $218,729 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $224,568 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$153,607
2025 BLS Actual
$207,917
2026 Current Est.
$218,729
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Altoona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $153,607 | Actual |
| 2020 | $161,331 | Actual |
| 2021 | $171,903 | Actual |
| 2022 | $165,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $174,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $218,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $207,917 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $218,729 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $230,103 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Altoona metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $153,607 (2019) to $207,917 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $230,103 by 2027 — a total increase of $76,496 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Altoona 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) | $154,737 – $192,744 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $192,744 – $218,729 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $218,729 – $270,548 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $270,548 – $306,236 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Altoona
The job market for nurse anesthetists in Altoona is relatively small, with only nine professionals currently employed in the area. This limited number suggests a tight-knit community, yet it also underscores the competitive nature of pay across varying employer types, including hospital systems and ambulatory surgery centers. With a cost-of-living index of 97.4, many CRNAs may find that their purchasing power allows for a comfortable lifestyle despite salaries being lower than the national average. Factors contributing to the broader pay disparity include call coverage rotation schedules, weekend and holiday differentials, and potential bonuses based on operational efficiency. To maximize earnings in this specific market, CRNAs may consider exploring opportunities in CRNA-owned anesthesia practices, which often provide pathways to partnership and profit distribution, or engaging with locum tenens agencies where higher hourly rates are possible. Understanding these local dynamics is essential for those seeking to optimize their nurse anesthetist pay in Altoona, PA.
More salary data for Altoona, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Altoona?
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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 $207,917 for nurse anesthetistsin the Altoona 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 Altoona 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