Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Austin, TX: $257,729 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Austin, TX earns a median $257,729/year (≈ $123.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $262,812 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, nurse anesthetist salaries in Austin, Texas, are projected to reach a median of $257,729, surpassing the national average of $248,893 by approximately 3.55%. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, with the lower end at $225,559 and the upper end reaching $453,959. The effective compensation can be influenced by the choice between employment structures such as W-2 positions in hospitals and 1099 arrangements common in group practices. This structural decision affects pay dynamics, considering that W-2 employees often enjoy benefits and a more stable income, while 1099 practitioners might capitalize on varied opportunities that could lead to higher total earnings, especially in the context of Austin's growing healthcare market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $225,559 | $108.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $225,559 | $108.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $257,729 | $123.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $453,959 | $218.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $453,959 | $218.25 |
Median Salary Position
3.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $228,400 (2026 est.). At $257,729, the local median is 3.55% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Austin Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Austin median: $257,729/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $243,831 | +5.70% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +3.55% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Austin, TX earn a median of $257,729 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.55% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 5.70% above the Texas state average of $243,831.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $257,729 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $262,812 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$180,996
2025 BLS Actual
$244,990
2026 Current Est.
$257,729
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $180,996 | Actual |
| 2020 | $190,098 | Actual |
| 2021 | $202,555 | Actual |
| 2022 | $210,301 | Actual |
| 2023 | $220,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $220,335 | Actual |
| 2025 | $244,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $257,729 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $271,131 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $180,996 (2019) to $244,990 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $271,131 by 2027 — a total increase of $90,135 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $225,559 – $225,559 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $225,559 – $257,729 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $257,729 – $453,959 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $453,959 – $453,959 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Austin
With 480 nurse anesthetists currently employed in the Austin area, the job market reflects a robust demand for anesthesia services. The cost of living index in Austin, at 98.066, suggests that the area is slightly below the national average, which may enhance the purchasing power of nurse anesthetists' salaries when compared to more expensive regions. Among the top-paying employers for nurse anesthetist pay in Austin TX are hospital systems and ambulatory surgery centers, with compensation packages that may include call coverage bonuses, stipends for trauma center roles, and efficiency incentives linked to operational productivity. Growing reliance on locum tenens arrangements adds a layer of variability to earnings, notably influenced by weekend and holiday differentials. To maximize pay, nurse anesthetists in Austin should evaluate potential positions for partnership opportunities within CRNA-owned group practices, as these can offer lucrative profit-sharing mechanisms that enhance overall compensation significantly.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
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 $244,990 for nurse anesthetistsin the Austin 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, 2-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