Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Abilene, TX: $243,762 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Abilene, TX earns a median $243,762/year (≈ $117.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Abilene's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $253,919 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, nurse anesthetists in Abilene, TX, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $243,762. This figure is slightly below the national median of $248,893, illustrating how salary structures can diverge based on employment models such as W-2 hospital roles versus 1099 arrangements in group practices. Salary ranges significantly vary, with lower earners making around $163,045 (P10) while the highest earners can reach up to $366,714 (P90). These estimates derive from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, taking local economic conditions into account. As Abilene continues to develop its healthcare landscape, understanding these compensation models is vital for nurse anesthetists looking to establish or advance their careers locally.
About the Abilene Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $163,045 | $78.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $213,992 | $102.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $243,762 | $117.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $299,071 | $143.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $366,714 | $176.30 |
Median Salary Position
2.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Abilene
In Abilene, TX, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $203,669 (2026 est.). At $243,762, the local median is 2.06% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Abilene: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Abilene Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Abilene median: $243,762/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Abilene Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $248,893 | -2.06% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Abilene, TX earn a median of $243,762 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.06% lower than the national median of $248,893.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Abilene has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Abilene, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $243,762 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $253,919 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$162,100
2025 BLS Actual
$231,713
2026 Current Est.
$243,762
2019–2027 Growth
+58.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Abilene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $162,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $179,796 | Actual |
| 2021 | $191,578 | Actual |
| 2022 | $198,904 | Actual |
| 2023 | $208,266 | Actual |
| 2024 | $206,304 | Actual |
| 2025 | $231,713 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $243,762 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $256,438 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Abilene metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 42.9% from $162,100 (2019) to $231,713 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $256,438 by 2027 — a total increase of $94,338 (58.20%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Abilene 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) | $163,045 – $213,992 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $213,992 – $243,762 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $243,762 – $299,071 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $299,071 – $366,714 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Abilene
Currently, there are 26 nurse anesthetists employed in Abilene, and the local cost of living index stands at a favorable 96, which may enhance take-home purchasing power despite slightly lower salaries compared to national standards. Among the key employers, hospital systems typically offer competitive W-2 compensation packages, while ambulatory surgery centers provide flexible pay structures (either W-2 or 1099) that can cater to different work preferences. The substantial variation in pay stems from factors such as call coverage rotations, with some requiring more extensive on-call commitments, as well as stipends for trauma centers and various incentive programs tied to operational efficiency. Maximizing earning potential in Abilene often requires CRNAs to navigate job negotiations carefully, consider partnership tracks in CRNA-owned practices, and evaluate locum tenens options where pay can sometimes surpass that offered in traditional settings. Understanding these dynamics is instrumental for nurse anesthetists aiming to negotiate successful contracts tailored to their expertise and lifestyle in the Abilene market.
More salary data for Abilene, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Abilene, TX in 2026?
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Abilene?
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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 $231,713 for nurse anesthetistsin the Abilene 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 Abilene 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