Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Aiken, SC: $225,827 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Aiken, SC earns a median $225,827/year (≈ $108.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Aiken's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $246,805 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nurse anesthetists in Aiken, South Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $225,827, positioning them below the national median of $248,893. This salary range spans from $152,606 at the 10th percentile to $316,033 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variations in roles and responsibilities. The local figures, based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, illustrate how the nurse anesthetist salary in Aiken is influenced by the state’s employment dynamics and the Anesthesia Care Team model. With four nurse anesthetists currently working in the area, Aiken offers a unique employment landscape that combines competitive pay within the context of federal opt-out versus ACT distinctions.
About the Aiken Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($208,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $152,606 | $73.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $198,516 | $95.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $225,827 | $108.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $278,731 | $134.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $316,033 | $151.94 |
Median Salary Position
9.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aiken
In Aiken, SC, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $163,427 (2026 est.). At $225,827, the local median is 9.27% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aiken: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aiken Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Aiken median: $225,827/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aiken Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $227,648 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -9.27% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Aiken, SC earn a median of $225,827 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.27% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 0.80% below the South Carolina state average of $227,648.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aiken has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aiken, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $225,827 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $246,805 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$158,591
2025 BLS Actual
$214,664
2026 Current Est.
$225,827
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Aiken (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $158,591 | Actual |
| 2020 | $166,567 | Actual |
| 2021 | $177,482 | Actual |
| 2022 | $184,269 | Actual |
| 2023 | $192,943 | Actual |
| 2024 | $188,724 | Actual |
| 2025 | $214,664 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $225,827 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $237,570 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aiken metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $158,591 (2019) to $214,664 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $237,570 by 2027 — a total increase of $78,979 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aiken 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) | $152,606 – $198,516 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $198,516 – $225,827 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $225,827 – $278,731 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $278,731 – $316,033 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Aiken
The job market for nurse anesthetists in Aiken presents both challenges and opportunities. With a cost-of-living index at 91.5, the purchasing power of nurse anesthetists’ salaries is favorable, allowing for a comfortable living despite the lower salary range compared to the national average. Notably, local healthcare facilities, including hospital systems and CRNA-owned practices, can significantly influence compensation based on various factors. Pay disparities often arise from call coverage rotations—some facilities may require a more demanding schedule, while others may offer more attractive stipends for trauma center roles. Strategies for maximizing earnings in Aiken include pursuing opportunities with ambulatory surgery centers or engaging with locum tenens positions, which may provide higher flexibility and pay rates. Ultimately, understanding market drivers and leveraging local conditions can enhance the overall compensation package for nurse anesthetists in SC.
More salary data for Aiken, SC:
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 $214,664 for nurse anesthetistsin the Aiken 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 Aiken 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