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Nurse Anesthetists Salary in North Carolina: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Nurse Anesthetists salary really buy you in North Carolina?

North Carolina is 5.8% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$224,610
Median annual (2025)
+6.2%
Real Purchasing Power
$238,439
COL-adjusted (RPP=94.2)

North Carolina Cost of Living Index

North Carolina's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 94.2, meaning prices are 5.8% lower the national average. A Nurse Anesthetists earning $224,610 in North Carolina has the equivalent purchasing power of $238,439 in an average-cost US state.

NC: 94.2
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $117,170 $124,384 +$7,214
25th Percentile (P25) $167,090 $177,377 +$10,287
Median (P50) $224,610 $238,439 +$13,829
75th Percentile (P75) $278,040 $295,159 +$17,119
90th Percentile (P90) $323,640 $343,566 +$19,926
Key Insight

A Nurse Anesthetists in North Carolina earns $224,610 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 6% further — like earning $238,439 in an average-cost state. This makes North Carolina one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

North Carolina Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 94.2

With an RPP of 94.2, North Carolina is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Nurse Anesthetists is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+6.2%

After applying North Carolina's RPP, the $224,610 median salary translates to $238,439 in real terms — a 6.2% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Nurse Anesthetists.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#32 / 44

North Carolina's rank of #32 of 44 states means real purchasing power for Nurse Anesthetists trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Nurse Anesthetists (After Cost of Living)

Where does Nurse Anesthetists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Alaska
$334,519
RPP 102.0
$312,253
RPP 89.2
3. Iowa
$308,902
RPP 88.4
4. Montana
$307,176
RPP 90.3
$299,920
RPP 88.0
$298,355
RPP 107.6
$295,958
RPP 92.3
8. Idaho
$286,633
RPP 91.8
$283,632
RPP 93.6
10. Illinois
$283,149
RPP 101.3

North Carolina ranks #32 out of 44 states for Nurse Anesthetists after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Nurse Anesthetists take-home pay in North Carolina after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Nurse Anesthetists in North Carolina after cost of living?

A Nurse Anesthetists in North Carolina earns a median salary of $224,610 per year. After adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (RPP=94.2), the real purchasing power is $238,439 — a +6.2% difference.

Is North Carolina expensive to live in?

North Carolina's cost of living is 5.8% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for North Carolina is 94.2 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Nurse Anesthetists in North Carolina: $224,610 x (100 / 94.2) = $238,439. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Nurse Anesthetists in North Carolina financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Nurse Anesthetists in North Carolina enjoys 6.2% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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