Nurse Anesthetist Salary in State College, PA: $216,736 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in State College, PA earns a median $216,736/year (≈ $104.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in State College's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $222,522 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In State College, Pennsylvania, the projected median annual nurse anesthetist salary in 2026 stands at $216,736, highlighting a notable gap compared to the national median of $248,893. The local salary ranges from $150,324 at the 10th percentile to as much as $307,852 at the 90th percentile, reflecting significant variances in pay based on factors such as call-coverage demands and practice settings. These figures are rooted in estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. Job seekers can expect different compensation packages depending on whether they work in hospital settings, outpatient surgical centers, or private practices.
About the State College Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $150,324 | $72.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $193,377 | $92.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $216,736 | $104.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $270,277 | $129.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $307,852 | $148.01 |
Median Salary Position
12.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in State College
In State College, PA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $157,528 (2026 est.). At $216,736, the local median is 12.92% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in State College: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How State College Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
State College median: $216,736/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | State College Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $227,187 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -12.92% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in State College, PA earn a median of $216,736 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.92% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 4.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $227,187.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
State College 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.
State College, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $216,736 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $222,522 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$152,207
2025 BLS Actual
$206,023
2026 Current Est.
$216,736
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in State College (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $152,207 | Actual |
| 2020 | $159,862 | Actual |
| 2021 | $170,338 | Actual |
| 2022 | $176,851 | Actual |
| 2023 | $185,176 | Actual |
| 2024 | $199,691 | Actual |
| 2025 | $206,023 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $216,736 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $228,006 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the State College metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $152,207 (2019) to $206,023 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $228,006 by 2027 — a total increase of $75,799 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the State College 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) | $150,324 – $193,377 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $193,377 – $216,736 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $216,736 – $270,277 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $270,277 – $307,852 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in State College
With only nine nurse anesthetists employed in the State College area, the local job market offers limited competition, which can be advantageous for negotiating salaries. The cost-of-living index for State College is below the national average at 97.4, suggesting that while salaries are slightly lower than the national benchmark, purchasing power remains stable. Employers such as hospital systems and chronic pain management clinics generally pay the highest salaries, particularly those offering enticing benefits for weekend and holiday shifts. The disparity between low and high pay can stem from call coverage requirements—ranging from one in eight to one in five—and additional incentives related to operational efficiency and productivity. For new graduates and experienced CRNAs alike, the best approach to maximizing nurse anesthetist pay in State College, PA, involves considering the employment setting and taking advantage of partnership-track options that may offer profit-sharing benefits.
More salary data for State College, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in State College?
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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 $206,023 for nurse anesthetistsin the State College 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 State College 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