Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Bristol, VA: $246,999 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Bristol, VA earns a median $246,999/year (≈ $118.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $239,340 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bristol, Virginia, the projected median annual salary for nurse anesthetists is $246,999 for 2026, reflecting a compensation structure that underscores significant variation based on factors such as call coverage and work commitments. Salaries for this role span from $172,544 at the 10th percentile to $334,712 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a wide range of earning potential in the local market. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS estimates adjusted for regional pricing, highlight the interplay between work-life balance and income in the area, as nurse anesthetists navigate demanding schedules and variable hours that can impact their overall financial trajectory. The current job market includes only six nurse anesthetists, signaling a unique niche that may influence compensation trends going forward in Bristol.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $172,544 | $82.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $220,784 | $106.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $246,999 | $118.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $300,686 | $144.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $334,712 | $160.91 |
Median Salary Position
0.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $162,168 (2026 est.). At $246,999, the local median is 0.76% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Bristol median: $246,999/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $256,756 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -0.76% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Bristol, VA earn a median of $246,999 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.76% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 3.80% below the Virginia state average of $256,756.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $246,999 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $239,340 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$173,460
2025 BLS Actual
$234,790
2026 Current Est.
$246,999
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $173,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $182,183 | Actual |
| 2021 | $194,122 | Actual |
| 2022 | $201,545 | Actual |
| 2023 | $211,032 | Actual |
| 2024 | $213,364 | Actual |
| 2025 | $234,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $246,999 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $259,843 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $173,460 (2019) to $234,790 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $259,843 by 2027 — a total increase of $86,383 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $172,544 – $220,784 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $220,784 – $246,999 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $246,999 – $300,686 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $300,686 – $334,712 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Bristol
As the cost of living index in Bristol stands at 103.2, slightly above the national average, this factor plays a critical role in determining take-home income and purchasing power for healthcare professionals. Among local employers, hospital systems typically offer the most competitive pay, but alternatives like CRNA-owned group practices and ambulatory surgery centers also provide attractive compensation models, including partnership tracks and profit-sharing arrangements. The disparity between lower and higher salaries often correlates with call coverage demands, weekend differentials, and unique bonuses for trauma center duties, affecting career choices for nurse anesthetists. Strategic considerations such as exploring locum tenens opportunities or seeking roles with more favorable call rotations can significantly enhance earnings in the Bristol job market, presenting various avenues for maximizing nurse anesthetist pay in Bristol, VA.
More salary data for Bristol, VA:
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 $234,790 for nurse anesthetistsin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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