Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Seattle, WA: $288,658 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Seattle, WA earns a median $288,658/year (≈ $138.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Seattle's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.1), that paycheck buys what $259,741 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Seattle is projected to reach a median of $288,658, significantly higher than the national median of $248,893, positioning Seattle's compensation about 15.98% above the national average. The salary range for nurse anesthetists in the city spans from $238,194 at the 10th percentile to $407,366 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, reflects the city's robust healthcare market and the demand for skilled professionals in this field, especially as Washington maintains its status as an opt-out state, allowing for greater autonomy in anesthetic practices.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $238,194 | $114.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $240,203 | $115.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $288,658 | $138.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $314,832 | $151.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $407,366 | $195.85 |
Median Salary Position
15.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Seattle
In Seattle, WA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $169,172 (2026 est.). At $288,658, the local median is 15.98% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Seattle: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Seattle Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Seattle median: $288,658/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Seattle Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $267,276 | +8.00% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +15.98% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Seattle, WA earn a median of $288,658 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.98% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 8.00% above the Washington state average of $267,276.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Seattle has a cost of living 11.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Seattle, WA has a cost-of-living index of 111.133 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $288,658 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $259,741 — a 10.02% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$189,100
2025 BLS Actual
$274,390
2026 Current Est.
$288,658
2019–2027 Growth
+60.6%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $189,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $192,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $226,863 | Actual |
| 2022 | $220,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $238,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $237,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $274,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $288,658 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $303,669 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Seattle metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 45.1% from $189,100 (2019) to $274,390 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $303,669 by 2027 — a total increase of $114,569 (60.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle 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) | $238,194 – $240,203 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $240,203 – $288,658 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $288,658 – $314,832 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $314,832 – $407,366 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Seattle
The local job market for nurse anesthetists in Seattle is strong, with approximately 420 CRNAs employed. However, the cost of living is above the national average, with a cost-of-living index of 111.133, impacting take-home purchasing power in this vibrant urban environment. Major employers include prominent hospital systems and anesthesiology group practices that tend to offer higher salaries and benefits packages. Variability in pay often stems from factors such as call coverage rotations and weekend differentials, coupled with incentives related to operational efficiency. To maximize potential earnings, nurse anesthetists should consider opportunities that offer productivity bonuses, pursue partnerships in CRNA-owned practices, and evaluate different employment models, especially those emphasizing work-life balance and higher compensation structures.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
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 $274,390 for nurse anesthetistsin the Seattle 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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