Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Hilton Head Island, SC: $226,216 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Hilton Head Island, SC earns a median $226,216/year (≈ $108.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Hilton Head Island's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $247,231 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Hilton Head Island, SC, the projected compensation for nurse anesthetists highlights a median annual salary of $226,216 for 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $248,893, presenting a potential challenge for local practitioners, particularly those considering working in an opt-out environment where CRNAs can practice independently. The salary range extends from $153,526 at the 10th percentile to $317,351 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide variability in earnings. These estimates incorporate adjustments based on regional price parities, which are essential for understanding the local economic climate. The job market presents opportunities, albeit with considerations about the financial realities in the dynamic healthcare landscape of Hilton Head Island.
About the Hilton Head Island Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($208,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $153,526 | $73.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $199,342 | $95.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $226,216 | $108.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $279,681 | $134.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $317,351 | $152.57 |
Median Salary Position
9.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hilton Head Island
In Hilton Head Island, SC, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $163,825 (2026 est.). At $226,216, the local median is 9.11% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hilton Head Island: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hilton Head Island Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Hilton Head Island median: $226,216/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hilton Head Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $227,810 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -9.11% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Hilton Head Island, SC earn a median of $226,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.11% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 0.70% below the South Carolina state average of $227,810.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hilton Head Island 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.
Hilton Head Island, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $226,216 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $247,231 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$158,865
2025 BLS Actual
$215,034
2026 Current Est.
$226,216
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Hilton Head Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $158,865 | Actual |
| 2020 | $166,854 | Actual |
| 2021 | $177,788 | Actual |
| 2022 | $184,586 | Actual |
| 2023 | $193,275 | Actual |
| 2024 | $189,048 | Actual |
| 2025 | $215,034 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $226,216 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $237,979 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hilton Head Island metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $158,865 (2019) to $215,034 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $237,979 by 2027 — a total increase of $79,114 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hilton Head Island 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) | $153,526 – $199,342 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $199,342 – $226,216 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $226,216 – $279,681 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $279,681 – $317,351 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Hilton Head Island
The local employment scene for nurse anesthetists remains modest, with just six practitioners currently on staff. The cost of living index in Hilton Head Island is 91.5, which is below the national average, suggesting that take-home pay may stretch further in this area despite the lower salary metrics. Notably, major employers, including local hospital systems and ambulatory surgery centers, often offer competitive compensation packages that can include call coverage rotation stipends and bonuses for weekend or holiday shifts, contributing to the differentiation in pay. Factors like OR efficiency, trauma center stipends, and the structuring of compensation as W-2 or 1099 can significantly impact overall earnings. To enhance salary potential, nurse anesthetists should consider opportunities for partnership in CRNA-owned group practices, which are on the rise, especially in opt-out states, as well as seek employment arrangements that provide robust benefits and bonuses.
More salary data for Hilton Head Island, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Hilton Head Island, SC in 2026?
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Hilton Head Island?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nurse anesthetist salary in Hilton Head Island?
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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 $215,034 for nurse anesthetistsin the Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island 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