Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Houston, TX: $289,626 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Houston, TX earns a median $289,626/year (≈ $139.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Houston's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.6), that paycheck buys what $293,652 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.8% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houston, Texas, the nurse anesthetist salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $289,626 for 2026, surpassing the national median of $248,893 by approximately 16.37%. The full salary range indicates potential earnings from $178,114 at the lower 10th percentile to as much as $360,058 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, which show that the local job market for nurse anesthetists is significantly lucrative compared to many other regions. Houston's role within the anesthesia landscape continues to evolve, particularly as it stands in a state that still operates under the Anesthesia Care Team model, allowing CRNAs to work under the direction of anesthesiologists while still commanding impressive salaries compared to their peers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $178,114 | $85.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $232,324 | $111.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $289,626 | $139.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $340,627 | $163.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $360,058 | $173.11 |
Median Salary Position
16.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houston
In Houston, TX, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $181,944 (2026 est.). At $289,626, the local median is 16.37% above the national median of $248,893.
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At 40 hours/week in Houston: You'd be above the median
How Houston Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Houston median: $289,626/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $243,793 | +18.80% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +16.37% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Houston, TX earn a median of $289,626 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.37% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 18.80% above the Texas state average of $243,793.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houston has a cost of living 1.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.629 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $289,626 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $293,652 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.39% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$168,180
2025 BLS Actual
$275,310
2026 Current Est.
$289,626
2019–2027 Growth
+81.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $168,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $182,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $227,623 | Actual |
| 2022 | $222,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $193,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $235,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $275,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $289,626 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $304,687 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houston metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 63.7% from $168,180 (2019) to $275,310 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $304,687 by 2027 — a total increase of $136,507 (81.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houston 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) | $178,114 – $232,324 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $232,324 – $289,626 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $289,626 – $340,627 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $340,627 – $360,058 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Houston
The local market employs around 680 nurse anesthetists, which indicates a robust demand for this profession in Houston. With a cost-of-living index of 98.629, professionals in this field benefit from enhanced purchasing power, as their salaries stretch further than in many high-cost urban centers. Hospitals often provide the highest compensation among employers, followed by ambulatory surgical centers and CRNA-owned practices, which may offer partnership tracks that enhance earnings. Variability in compensation is driven by factors such as call coverage rotations, weekend differentials, and the potential for productivity bonuses. Those seeking to maximize their nurse anesthetist pay in Houston may consider targeting high-demand specialties, negotiating for trauma center stipends, and exploring 1099 contract opportunities that can be more financially favorable than W-2 employment. Lastly, understanding the intricacies of local employment structures can provide opportunities for improved financial outcomes as the anesthesia market continues to grow.
More salary data for Houston, 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 $275,310 for nurse anesthetistsin the Houston 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