Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Knoxville, TN: $225,023 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Knoxville, TN earns a median $225,023/year (≈ $108.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Knoxville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $243,087 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Knoxville's projected 2026 median annual salary for nurse anesthetists stands at $225,023, which represents a decrease of approximately 9.59% compared to the national median of $248,893. The salary range for nurse anesthetists in the area extends from $147,722 at the 10th percentile to $250,060 at the 90th percentile, indicating a notable income variability. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the unique characteristics of Knoxville's healthcare market. As Tennessee operates under a hybrid model, nurse anesthetists in this city can enjoy a degree of autonomy not always available in states adhering strictly to the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) model, which requires supervision by anesthesiologists. This autonomy, coupled with local living conditions, shapes the compensation landscape in Knoxville.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $147,722 | $71.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $196,335 | $94.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $225,023 | $108.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $226,811 | $109.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $250,060 | $120.22 |
Median Salary Position
9.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Knoxville
In Knoxville, TN, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,338 (2026 est.). At $225,023, the local median is 9.59% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Knoxville: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Knoxville Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Knoxville median: $225,023/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Knoxville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $228,450 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -9.59% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $225,023 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.59% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 1.50% below the Tennessee state average of $228,450.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Knoxville has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Knoxville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.569 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $225,023 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $243,087 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$151,330
2025 BLS Actual
$213,900
2026 Current Est.
$225,023
2019–2027 Growth
+56.4%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $151,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $199,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $176,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $170,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $205,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $210,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $213,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $225,023 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $236,724 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Knoxville metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 41.3% from $151,330 (2019) to $213,900 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $236,724 by 2027 — a total increase of $85,394 (56.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville 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) | $147,722 – $196,335 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $196,335 – $225,023 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $225,023 – $226,811 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $226,811 – $250,060 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Knoxville
The job market for nurse anesthetists in Knoxville includes around 220 professionals, and with a cost-of-living index at 92.569, the purchasing power for these salaries is relatively favorable. Employers vary significantly in what they offer, with hospital systems typically providing W-2 employment and competitive benefits, while ambulatories, CRNA-owned practices, and locum tenens agencies may allow for higher flexibility in pay structure, influencing earnings. Factors such as call coverage rotation, weekend or holiday differentials, and productivity bonuses create disparities in compensation. Those aiming to enhance their earnings in Knoxville should focus on opportunities within higher-paying specialties or practices that offer partnership tracks, which often include profit sharing, thereby allowing nurse anesthetists to optimize their financial outcomes in this unique market environment.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
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 $213,900 for nurse anesthetistsin the Knoxville 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, 6-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