Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Aurora vs Commerce City: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Aurora, CO and Commerce City, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Aurora, CO
$222,962
$107.19/hr
Commerce City, CO
$253,519
$121.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAurora, COCommerce City, CO
Median Salary$222,962$253,519
Hourly Rate$107.19$121.88
Entry Level (P10)$141,148$169,004
25th Percentile$189,886$221,803
75th Percentile$282,896$314,670
Top Earner (P90)$331,914$359,717
Total Employed5416
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Aurora ($222,962) and Commerce City ($253,519) nurse anesthetist salaries.AuroraCommerce CityMedian Salary$222,962$253,519Entry Level (P10)$141,148$169,004Top Earner (P90)$331,914$359,717US Median $248,893

Verdict

Commerce City, CO offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Aurora.

The salary gap between Aurora and Commerce City is $30,557 (13.71%). Commerce City's median is +1.86% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Aurora spans $190,766,Commerce City spans $190,713. Aurora has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Aurora
P10 (Entry)$141,148
P25$189,886
Median$222,962
P75$282,896
P90 (Top)$331,914
Commerce City
P10 (Entry)$169,004
P25$221,803
Median$253,519
P75$314,670
P90 (Top)$359,717

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Commerce City ($241,447 effective) pays 13.71% more than Aurora ($212,345 effective).

Aurora
Nominal: $222,962
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $212,345
Commerce City
Nominal: $253,519
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $241,447

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Aurora if…

  • Larger job market (54 employed)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Commerce City if…

  • Higher median salary ($253,519/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($359,717)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $241,447)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Aurora grew -10.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.5% growth in Commerce City over the same period.

Aurora, CO

+-10.7%

$237,224 (2024) → $211,941 (2025)

Commerce City, CO

+7.5%

$224,089 (2024) → $240,988 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Aurora or Commerce City?

Commerce City has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $253,519/year, compared to Aurora at $222,962/year — a difference of $30,557 (13.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Aurora and Commerce City?

Aurora nurse anesthetists earn $107.19/hr while Commerce City hygienists earn $121.88/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Aurora to Commerce City as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Aurora and Commerce City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Aurora = $212,345, Commerce City = $241,447), job availability (54 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Aurora vs Commerce City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $141,148 in Aurora and $169,004 in Commerce City. The Commerce City area offers higher starting salaries.
AJ

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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Lee, DNP, CRNAData verified by Fatima Ahmad, MSN, CRNA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.20% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov