Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Oak Ridge, TN: $224,174 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Oak Ridge, TN earns a median $224,174/year (≈ $107.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Oak Ridge's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $244,198 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

With a projected median annual salary of $224,174 for nurse anesthetists in Oak Ridge, Tennessee in 2026, this pay level reflects an intriguing position in comparison to the national median of $248,893. The salary range for this profession in the area extends from $146,549 at the 10th percentile to $322,836 at the 90th percentile, providing a broad spectrum of earnings potential. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. Given Tennessee's hybrid model, where nurse anesthetists can work both independently and under supervision in the Anesthesia Care Team framework, Oak Ridge offers a unique job market for those in this field.
About the Oak Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($208,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $146,549 | $70.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $194,113 | $93.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $224,174 | $107.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $273,829 | $131.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $322,836 | $155.21 |
Median Salary Position
9.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Ridge
In Oak Ridge, TN, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $176,287 (2026 est.). At $224,174, the local median is 9.93% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Ridge Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Oak Ridge median: $224,174/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $228,516 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -9.93% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Oak Ridge, TN earn a median of $224,174 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.93% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 1.90% below the Tennessee state average of $228,516.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Ridge has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oak Ridge, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $224,174 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $244,198 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$157,431
2025 BLS Actual
$213,093
2026 Current Est.
$224,174
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Oak Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $157,431 | Actual |
| 2020 | $165,348 | Actual |
| 2021 | $176,183 | Actual |
| 2022 | $182,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $191,531 | Actual |
| 2024 | $187,342 | Actual |
| 2025 | $213,093 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $224,174 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $235,831 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Ridge metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $157,431 (2019) to $213,093 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $235,831 by 2027 — a total increase of $78,400 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Ridge 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) | $146,549 – $194,113 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $194,113 – $224,174 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $224,174 – $273,829 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $273,829 – $322,836 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Oak Ridge
Currently, six nurse anesthetists are employed in Oak Ridge, indicating a tight labor pool that could influence compensation dynamics. With a cost-of-living index of 91.8, professionals in this city enjoy an effective purchasing power that can mitigate the living expenses typically found in higher-cost urban centers. Top employers in the area include hospital systems and CRNA-owned group practices, both of which are key to determining salary variances. Factors such as call coverage rotation, holiday differentials, and productivity bonuses significantly affect pay scales. For those seeking to maximize their nurse anesthetist pay in Oak Ridge, strategically leaning towards W-2 positions in established healthcare systems may yield better financial outcomes than opting for freelance partnerships or locum tenens roles.
More salary data for Oak Ridge, 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 $213,093 for nurse anesthetistsin the Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge 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