Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $223,667 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Wilkes-Barre, PA earns a median $223,667/year (≈ $107.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Wilkes-Barre's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $229,638 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The landscape of nurse anesthetist compensation in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, reveals a median annual salary of $223,667 in 2026, which is notably below the national median of $248,893. This salary range reflects the dynamics of local healthcare employers, with a broad spectrum from $147,339 at the 10th percentile to $309,644 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors. For nurse anesthetists in this area, the choice between W-2 employed positions in hospital systems and 1099 arrangements in group-practice settings significantly influences earning potential, offering varied structures that can impact overall compensation strategies in Wilkes-Barre.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $147,339 | $70.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $194,502 | $93.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $223,667 | $107.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $274,013 | $131.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $309,644 | $148.87 |
Median Salary Position
10.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilkes-Barre
In Wilkes-Barre, PA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $162,305 (2026 est.). At $223,667, the local median is 10.14% below the national median of $248,893.
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At 40 hours/week in Wilkes-Barre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilkes-Barre Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Wilkes-Barre median: $223,667/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilkes-Barre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $227,304 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -10.14% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $223,667 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.14% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $227,304.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilkes-Barre 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.
Wilkes-Barre, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $223,667 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $229,638 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$157,075
2025 BLS Actual
$212,611
2026 Current Est.
$223,667
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $157,075 | Actual |
| 2020 | $164,974 | Actual |
| 2021 | $175,784 | Actual |
| 2022 | $182,506 | Actual |
| 2023 | $191,097 | Actual |
| 2024 | $206,077 | Actual |
| 2025 | $212,611 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $223,667 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $235,297 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $157,075 (2019) to $212,611 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $235,297 by 2027 — a total increase of $78,222 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilkes-Barre 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) | $147,339 – $194,502 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $194,502 – $223,667 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $223,667 – $274,013 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $274,013 – $309,644 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Wilkes-Barre
With only 11 nurse anesthetists actively employed in the region, the job market here remains tight and competitive. The cost of living index stands at 97.4, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, take-home pay enables a comfortable lifestyle in Wilkes-Barre. Among local employers, hospital systems typically offer the most competitive pay, but options like ambulatory surgery centers or locum tenens agencies can vary widely. Factors influencing the spread in salaries include call coverage commitments—where some positions may require 1-in-5 rotations instead of 1-in-8—and differential pay for weekends or holidays. To enhance earning potential, strategies such as seeking employment in higher-paying institutions or pursuing additional certifications to qualify for specialized roles can be beneficial. Understanding the specific nuances of this market will be critical for nurse anesthetists navigating their career choices in Wilkes-Barre.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, PA:
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 $212,611 for nurse anesthetistsin the Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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