Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Salem, VA: $249,042 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Salem, VA earns a median $249,042/year (≈ $119.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Salem's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $241,320 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the compensation for nurse anesthetists in Salem, VA, is projected to reach a median annual salary of $249,042, slightly above the national median of $248,893. Salaries vary considerably, with entry-level positions (P10) earning around $158,698 and top earners (P90) making as much as $336,926. Local salary estimates are influenced by several factors, including call-coverage duties and the lifestyle trade-offs inherent in this field. The diverse employment scenarios available in Salem—ranging from hospital systems to ambulatory surgery centers—contribute to this wide salary spread, as professionals often weigh opportunities for higher pay against the demands of their work schedules and job environments.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $158,698 | $76.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $227,249 | $109.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $249,042 | $119.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $300,886 | $144.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $336,926 | $161.99 |
Median Salary Position
0.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, VA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $178,228 (2026 est.). At $249,042, the local median is 0.06% above the national median of $248,893.
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At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be above the median
How Salem Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Salem median: $249,042/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $256,744 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | +0.06% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Salem, VA earn a median of $249,042 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.06% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 3.00% below the Virginia state average of $256,744.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $249,042 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $241,320 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$174,895
2025 BLS Actual
$236,732
2026 Current Est.
$249,042
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $174,895 | Actual |
| 2020 | $183,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $195,727 | Actual |
| 2022 | $203,212 | Actual |
| 2023 | $212,778 | Actual |
| 2024 | $215,129 | Actual |
| 2025 | $236,732 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $249,042 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $261,992 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $174,895 (2019) to $236,732 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $261,992 by 2027 — a total increase of $87,097 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $158,698 – $227,249 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $227,249 – $249,042 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $249,042 – $300,886 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $300,886 – $336,926 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Salem
The job market in Salem currently employs six nurse anesthetists, a figure that suggests a tight-knit community of professionals in the specialty. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, earning potential here may offer a bit more purchasing power compared to some other regions. Among local employers, hospital systems typically provide competitive salaries, while CRNA-owned group practices may offer enticing partnership opportunities that can drive earnings significantly higher. The variability in compensation can result from factors such as call coverage arrangements, with differences in rotation frequency impacting work-life balance and pay structure, as well as weekend and holiday differentials that enhance hourly rates. To optimize earning potential in Salem, nurse anesthetists should consider diverse practice settings, seek higher-paying opportunities, and engage in negotiations that factor in the unique demands of their roles and workloads.
More salary data for Salem, 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 $236,732 for nurse anesthetistsin the Salem 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 Salem 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