Nurse Anesthetist Salary in North Charleston, SC: $245,765 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in North Charleston, SC earns a median $245,765/year (≈ $118.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in North Charleston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $268,596 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in North Charleston, SC, is projected to reach a median of $245,765, slightly below the national median of $248,893. This compensation comes with a salary range that starts at $149,550 for the lowest earners and can go up to $352,038 for those at the top end. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors. The choice between working as a W-2 employee in a hospital versus as a 1099 contractor in a group practice greatly impacts earning potential, with hospitals typically offering more stability and benefits, while group practices might provide higher income possibilities but with added tax complexities and varied compensation structures. Such employment dynamics shape the effective compensation landscape for nurse anesthetists in North Charleston.
About the North Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($208,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $149,550 | $71.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $219,674 | $105.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $245,765 | $118.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $305,341 | $146.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $352,038 | $169.25 |
Median Salary Position
1.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Charleston
In North Charleston, SC, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $202,488 (2026 est.). At $245,765, the local median is 1.26% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Charleston Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
North Charleston median: $245,765/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $227,771 | +7.90% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | -1.26% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in North Charleston, SC earn a median of $245,765 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.26% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 7.90% above the South Carolina state average of $227,771.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Charleston 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.
North Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $245,765 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $268,596 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$172,594
2025 BLS Actual
$233,617
2026 Current Est.
$245,765
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in North Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $172,594 | Actual |
| 2020 | $181,273 | Actual |
| 2021 | $193,152 | Actual |
| 2022 | $200,538 | Actual |
| 2023 | $209,978 | Actual |
| 2024 | $196,321 | Actual |
| 2025 | $233,617 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $245,765 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $258,545 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Charleston metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $172,594 (2019) to $233,617 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $258,545 by 2027 — a total increase of $85,951 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North 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) | $149,550 – $219,674 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $219,674 – $245,765 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $245,765 – $305,341 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $305,341 – $352,038 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in North Charleston
In North Charleston, the local job market for nurse anesthetists currently employs 22 professionals, indicating a relatively modest employment level but suggesting stability and potential for growth. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, practitioners can enjoy a lower expense burden compared to the national average, enhancing their purchasing power in the region. Among various employer types, hospital systems are likely to offer the most competitive wages, followed closely by ambulatory surgery centers and CRNA-owned group practices that might include partnership tracks. Differences in pay can often be attributed to call coverage rotations, which can vary from 1-in-5 to 1-in-8, as well as additional pay for weekend shifts or on-call duties. For those looking to maximize their nurse anesthetist pay in North Charleston, pursuing opportunities in facilities with higher case volumes, negotiating for better call coverage arrangements, and seeking out profitable practice partnerships can significantly impact overall earnings.
More salary data for North 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 $233,617 for nurse anesthetistsin the North 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
Salary data for North Charleston 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