Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Memphis, TN: $255,888 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Memphis, TN earns a median $255,888/year (≈ $123.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Memphis's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $277,599 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.0% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Memphis is projected to reach a median of $255,888, surpassing the national median of $248,893 by 2.81%. The salary range in this area spans from $193,747 at the tenth percentile to $259,286 at the ninetieth percentile, as indicated by data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys. This disparity highlights the various factors influencing compensation in Memphis, where trade-offs such as call-coverage demands can significantly impact earnings. While nurse anesthetists in the region generally enjoy robust pay, the nature of their employment—whether in hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, or private practices—plays a critical role in determining their financial outcomes.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $193,747 | $93.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $212,704 | $102.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $255,888 | $123.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $257,782 | $123.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $259,286 | $124.66 |
Median Salary Position
2.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Memphis
In Memphis, TN, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,539 (2026 est.). At $255,888, the local median is 2.81% above the national median of $248,893.
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At 40 hours/week in Memphis: You'd be in the top 10% of earners
How Memphis Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Memphis median: $255,888/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Memphis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $228,472 | +12.00% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +2.81% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Memphis, TN earn a median of $255,888 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.81% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 12.00% above the Tennessee state average of $228,472.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Memphis has a cost of living 7.82% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Memphis, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.179 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $255,888 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $277,599 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.48% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$164,220
2025 BLS Actual
$243,240
2026 Current Est.
$255,888
2019–2027 Growth
+63.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Memphis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $164,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $168,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $165,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $172,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $186,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $192,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $243,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $255,888 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $269,195 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Memphis metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 48.1% from $164,220 (2019) to $243,240 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $269,195 by 2027 — a total increase of $104,975 (63.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Memphis 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) | $193,747 – $212,704 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $212,704 – $255,888 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $255,888 – $257,782 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $257,782 – $259,286 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Memphis
With about 200 nurse anesthetists employed in Memphis, the market shows particular strength despite a cost-of-living index of 92.179, indicating that day-to-day living expenses are below the national average. This relative affordability can enhance purchasing power, making the competitive salaries more impactful in the local context. Salary differences frequently arise from variance in job responsibilities and work environments. For instance, those employed in trauma centers may earn stipends, and 1099 positions often involve different tax structures than W-2 roles. Strategies for maximizing pay in Memphis include targeting high-paying employers such as large hospital systems with favorable shift differentials, negotiating for lucrative profit-sharing arrangements in independent practices, and considering the benefits of locum tenens roles for increased flexibility and higher hourly rates. Understanding these dynamics and preparing for the unique demands of the Memphis job market can significantly influence overall earnings for nurse anesthetists in TN.
More salary data for Memphis, 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 $243,240 for nurse anesthetistsin the Memphis 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