Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Bristol, RI: $226,065 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Bristol, RI earns a median $226,065/year (≈ $108.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $224,940 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, a nurse anesthetist in Bristol, Rhode Island can expect a median annual salary of $226,065, which reflects an essential consideration for those choosing between W-2 hospital employment and 1099 positions with group practices. The projected salary range spans from $151,794 at the 10th percentile to $313,076 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the variability based on practice settings and individual arrangements. These estimates, derived from state-level data and regional pricing adjustments, indicate that despite the local compensation being on the lower side when compared to the national median of $248,893, Bristol offers a competitive landscape for this critical role within the healthcare system. The limited number of nurse anesthetists, with only five currently employed in the area, may contribute to a more personalized job market, where negotiating power could be enhanced.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($225,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $151,794 | $72.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $197,618 | $95.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $226,065 | $108.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $266,218 | $127.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $313,076 | $150.52 |
Median Salary Position
9.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, RI, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $161,282 (2026 est.). At $226,065, the local median is 9.17% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Bristol median: $226,065/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $238,717 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -9.17% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Bristol, RI earn a median of $226,065 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.17% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 5.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $238,717.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $226,065 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $224,940 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$158,759
2025 BLS Actual
$214,891
2026 Current Est.
$226,065
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $158,759 | Actual |
| 2020 | $166,743 | Actual |
| 2021 | $177,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $184,463 | Actual |
| 2023 | $193,147 | Actual |
| 2024 | $214,062 | Actual |
| 2025 | $214,891 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $226,065 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $237,821 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $158,759 (2019) to $214,891 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $237,821 by 2027 — a total increase of $79,062 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $151,794 – $197,618 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $197,618 – $226,065 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $226,065 – $266,218 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $266,218 – $313,076 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Bristol
Market dynamics in Bristol are further complicated by the area's cost of living, reflected in a CoL index of 100.5, which slightly exceeds the national average. This higher index does affect take-home pay, which is an essential consideration in compensation discussions. Among local employers, hospital systems typically provide the most stable earnings for W-2 employees, while CRNA-owned anesthesia group practices may present additional opportunities for profit-sharing and greater income potential, especially for those on a partnership track. The disparity between the lower and upper salary ranges often stems from factors such as call coverage obligations, the impact of weekend and holiday differentials, and the potential efficiencies in operating rooms leading to productivity bonuses. To maximize earnings within this niche market, nurse anesthetists should focus on gaining experience in trauma care or consider locum tenens options, which can often offer higher pay for less predictable schedules.
More salary data for Bristol, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Bristol?
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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 $214,891 for nurse anesthetistsin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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