Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Waco, TX: $245,180 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Waco, TX earns a median $245,180/year (≈ $117.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Waco's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $255,396 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waco, Texas, the choice between working as a W-2 employee at hospitals or as a 1099 contractor in group practices significantly impacts the nurse anesthetist salary landscape. In 2026, the median annual compensation for nurse anesthetists will reach $245,180, closely aligning with the national median of $248,893. Local estimates project a wide salary range, from $159,440 at the 10th percentile to approximately $362,604 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect regional price adjustments and are derived from 2025 BLS data that illustrates both the competitive pay potential and the evolving employment structures within Waco's healthcare market. As the demand for anesthesia services continues to grow, nurse anesthetists are finding varied opportunities that cater to their professional preferences and lifestyle goals.
About the Waco Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $159,440 | $76.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $211,601 | $101.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $245,180 | $117.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $312,149 | $150.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $362,604 | $174.33 |
Median Salary Position
1.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waco
In Waco, TX, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $203,164 (2026 est.). At $245,180, the local median is 1.49% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waco Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Waco median: $245,180/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $243,960 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | -1.49% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Waco, TX earn a median of $245,180 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.49% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 0.50% above the Texas state average of $243,960.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waco 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.
Waco, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $245,180 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $255,396 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$172,183
2025 BLS Actual
$233,061
2026 Current Est.
$245,180
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Waco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $172,183 | Actual |
| 2020 | $180,842 | Actual |
| 2021 | $192,692 | Actual |
| 2022 | $200,061 | Actual |
| 2023 | $209,478 | Actual |
| 2024 | $207,505 | Actual |
| 2025 | $233,061 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $245,180 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $257,930 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waco metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $172,183 (2019) to $233,061 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $257,930 by 2027 — a total increase of $85,747 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waco 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) | $159,440 – $211,601 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $211,601 – $245,180 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $245,180 – $312,149 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $312,149 – $362,604 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Waco
With 22 nurse anesthetists currently employed in Waco, the local job market exhibits a healthy demand, which combined with a cost-of-living index of 96, augments purchasing power in the area. Hospitals tend to offer the most competitive wages, often supporting a W-2 employment model, while facilities like ambulatory surgery centers and CRNA-owned anesthesia groups may provide alternative pay structures, including profit-sharing and bonuses for high-efficiency performance. Factors influencing the pay spread include call coverage rotations and the benefits associated with trauma center placements, which can offer stipends for higher-stakes cases. Maximizing compensation in Waco's environment hinges on strategic choice of employer; for instance, those negotiating with group practices may benefit from partnership-track opportunities that provide distribution of practice revenues, while those in locum tenens positions should be aware of tax implications that can affect their total take-home figures. Understanding these dynamics is essential for nurse anesthetists aiming to optimize their earnings in Waco, TX.
More salary data for Waco, 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 $233,061 for nurse anesthetistsin the Waco 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 Waco 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