Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Charleston, SC: $240,634 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Charleston, SC earns a median $240,634/year (≈ $115.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Charleston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.0), that paycheck buys what $238,341 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the estimated median salary for nurse anesthetists in Charleston, South Carolina, rests at $240,634, slightly trailing the national median of $248,893. This projected figure places Charleston within a salary range that falls between $175,800 at the 10th percentile to $434,918 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variation in compensation based on experience and specific job roles. This data, derived from 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, indicates a growing demand for CRNAs in the area. With a robust annual growth rate of 5.20%, the evolving landscape of nurse anesthetist pay in Charleston denotes a strong and vibrant job market, particularly significant as CRNAs continue to operate within the Anesthesia Care Team model prevalent in South Carolina.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $175,800 | $84.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $235,585 | $113.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $240,634 | $115.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $303,386 | $145.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $434,918 | $209.10 |
Median Salary Position
3.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charleston
In Charleston, SC, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $259,118 (2026 est.). At $240,634, the local median is 3.32% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charleston Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Charleston median: $240,634/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $227,658 | +5.70% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | -3.32% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Charleston, SC earn a median of $240,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.32% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 5.70% above the South Carolina state average of $227,658.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charleston has a cost of living 0.96% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 100.962 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $240,634 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $238,341 — a 0.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$159,380
2025 BLS Actual
$228,740
2026 Current Est.
$240,634
2019–2027 Growth
+58.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $159,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $160,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $171,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $174,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $209,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $230,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $228,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $240,634 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $253,147 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charleston metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 43.5% from $159,380 (2019) to $228,740 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $253,147 by 2027 — a total increase of $93,767 (58.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston 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) | $175,800 – $235,585 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $235,585 – $240,634 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $240,634 – $303,386 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $303,386 – $434,918 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Charleston
As the demand for skilled nurse anesthetists increases, overcoming the challenges of the local cost of living—which stands above the national average at a CoL index of 100.962—becomes crucial for achieving optimal take-home pay. Major employers in Charleston, including regional hospital systems and ambulatory surgery centers, typically offer the highest salaries, while CRNA-owned practices may present pathways for partnership and potential profit sharing. Factors influencing salary ranges include call coverage rotations, which alternate between one in five to one in eight, as well as differentials for weekend or holiday shifts that enhance pay for those willing to work these times. Additional strategies for maximizing compensation may include pursuing roles that offer efficiency bonuses or exploring locum tenens positions, which can yield higher pay structures. Awareness of these elements is critical for those seeking to understand nurse anesthetist pay in Charleston, SC, and to strategically position themselves within the market.
More salary data for Charleston, 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 $228,740 for nurse anesthetistsin the Charleston 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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