Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Bellingham, WA: $267,083 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Bellingham, WA earns a median $267,083/year (≈ $128.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $248,681 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Bellingham, Washington, is projected to reach a remarkable $267,083, surpassing the national median of $248,893 by 7.31%. The salary range for this profession in Bellingham varies significantly from $168,405 at the 10th percentile to $395,329 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost differences, reflecting the unique economic conditions in the area. Given that Washington is predominantly an Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) state, CRNAs play a vital role in delivering anesthesia services alongside anesthesiologists, influencing the overall compensation metrics and job demand in the local market.
About the Bellingham Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($245,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $168,405 | $80.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $227,054 | $109.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $267,083 | $128.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $330,531 | $158.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $395,329 | $190.06 |
Median Salary Position
7.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $226,924 (2026 est.). At $267,083, the local median is 7.31% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellingham Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $267,083/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $267,350 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | +7.31% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $267,083 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.31% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 0.10% below the Washington state average of $267,350.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellingham has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellingham, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $267,083 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $248,681 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$187,564
2025 BLS Actual
$253,881
2026 Current Est.
$267,083
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $187,564 | Actual |
| 2020 | $196,997 | Actual |
| 2021 | $209,906 | Actual |
| 2022 | $217,933 | Actual |
| 2023 | $228,191 | Actual |
| 2024 | $262,906 | Actual |
| 2025 | $253,881 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $267,083 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $280,971 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $187,564 (2019) to $253,881 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $280,971 by 2027 — a total increase of $93,407 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham 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) | $168,405 – $227,054 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $227,054 – $267,083 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $267,083 – $330,531 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $330,531 – $395,329 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Bellingham
The healthcare environment in Bellingham supports a small yet influential group of approximately 13 employed nurse anesthetists. However, with a cost-of-living index of 107.4, compensation must be carefully considered in terms of purchasing power. Among local employers, hospital systems typically offer the highest pay for nurse anesthetists, while ambulatory surgery centers and CRNA-owned group practices also present attractive compensation structures. Factors impacting the salary spread include call coverage rotation differences, weekend differentials, and productivity bonuses. To maximize earning potential in this market, potential candidates should focus on opportunities that grant a 1099 structure or partnership tracks, allowing for greater financial flexibility and profit sharing, which can significantly enhance overall take-home pay in Bellingham, WA.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Bellingham, WA in 2026?
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Bellingham?
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Related Pages
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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 $253,881 for nurse anesthetistsin the Bellingham 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 Bellingham 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