Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Virginia: $249,776 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $249,776/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $242,031 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Newport News ($246,060), Hampton ($243,890), Centreville ($242,754).
In Virginia, nurse anesthetists can anticipate an average median salary of $249,776 in 2026, which is slightly above the national median of $248,893, reflecting a 0.4% increase. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Newport News leading at $258,855 and Alexandria at the lower end with $232,773, creating a salary gap of $26,082. Factors influencing these differences include local cost of living, demand for advanced practice nurses, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas compared to suburban or rural ones. Virginia has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that permit nurse anesthetists to perform anesthesia-related tasks independently, which impacts their earning potential and demand. The growth rate for this profession in the state is projected at 5.20% annually, indicating a steady increase in job opportunities. Currently, there are 575 employed nurse anesthetists in Virginia, with high salaries also found in cities like Hampton ($256,572), Centreville ($255,377), Blacksburg ($254,743), and Roanoke ($254,663). This robust job market, combined with favorable salary prospects, positions Virginia as a strong state for aspiring nurse anesthetists to consider.
Virginia Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $129,207 (lowest entry-level) to $423,283 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia nurse anesthetists earn 0.35% more than the national median (+$883/year difference).
Virginia Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in Virginia range from $167,448 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $357,454 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $249,776. The Virginia median is $883 above the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $120.08/hr. Approximately 575 nurse anesthetists are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$184,140
2025 BLS Actual
$237,430
2026 Current Est.
$249,776
2019–2027 Growth
+42.7%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $184,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $175,649 | Actual |
| 2021 | $168,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $193,233 | Actual |
| 2023 | $224,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $187,033 | Actual |
| 2025 | $237,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $249,776 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $262,764 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 28.9% from $184,140 (2019) to $237,430 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $262,764 by 2027 — a total increase of $78,624 (42.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Alexandria | $232,773 |
| Falls Church | $236,839 |
| Herndon | $240,606 |
| Williamsburg | $243,233 |
| Winchester | $243,341 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $254,016 | 99.146 | $256,204 |
| Richmond | $247,557 | 97.858 | $252,976 |
| Newport News | $258,855 | 103.2 | $250,828 |
| Virginia Beach | $245,179 | 97.941 | $250,333 |
| Hampton | $256,572 | 103.2 | $248,616 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $167,448 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $249,776 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $357,454 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newport News | $258,855 |
| 2 | Hampton | $256,572 |
| 3 | Centreville | $255,377 |
| 4 | Blacksburg | $254,743 |
| 5 | Roanoke | $254,663 |
| 6 | Lynchburg | $254,645 |
| 7 | Charlottesville | $254,016 |
| 8 | Burke | $253,647 |
| 9 | Harrisonburg | $253,119 |
| 10 | Suffolk | $252,549 |
| 11 | Tuckahoe | $251,833 |
| 12 | Ashburn | $251,471 |
| 13 | McLean | $251,454 |
| 14 | Reston | $251,186 |
| 15 | Danville | $251,134 |
| 16 | Fredericksburg | $250,058 |
| 17 | Dale City | $250,007 |
| 18 | Manassas | $249,740 |
| 19 | Salem | $249,042 |
| 20 | Norfolk | $248,837 |
| 21 | Leesburg | $248,684 |
| 22 | Portsmouth | $248,542 |
| 23 | Mechanicsville | $248,145 |
| 24 | Richmond | $247,557 |
| 25 | Springfield | $247,268 |
| 26 | Bristol | $246,999 |
| 27 | Woodbridge | $246,930 |
| 28 | Sterling | $246,451 |
| 29 | Staunton | $246,271 |
| 30 | Lake Ridge | $246,132 |
| 31 | Chesapeake | $246,130 |
| 32 | Linton Hall | $245,852 |
| 33 | Radford | $245,666 |
| 34 | Fairfax | $245,222 |
| 35 | Virginia Beach | $245,179 |
| 36 | Waynesboro | $244,025 |
| 37 | Annandale | $243,700 |
| 38 | Winchester | $243,341 |
| 39 | Williamsburg | $243,233 |
| 40 | Herndon | $240,606 |
| 41 | Falls Church | $236,839 |
| 42 | Alexandria | $232,773 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse anesthetist hourly pay in Virginia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse anesthetists in Virginia?
How does Virginia nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in Virginia?
How many nurse anesthetists are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia city offers the best value for nurse anesthetists?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse anesthetist compensation across Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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