Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Billings vs Great Falls: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Billings, MT and Great Falls, MT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Billings, MT
$237,994
$114.42/hr
Great Falls, MT
$230,191
$110.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBillings, MTGreat Falls, MT
Median Salary$237,994$230,191
Hourly Rate$114.42$110.67
Entry Level (P10)$152,437$144,466
25th Percentile$203,635$195,184
75th Percentile$295,939$293,140
Top Earner (P90)$340,092$339,876
Total Employed2612
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Billings ($237,994) and Great Falls ($230,191) nurse anesthetist salaries.BillingsGreat FallsMedian Salary$237,994$230,191Entry Level (P10)$152,437$144,466Top Earner (P90)$340,092$339,876US Median $248,893

Verdict

Billings, MT offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Great Falls.

The salary gap between Billings and Great Falls is $7,803 (3.39%). Billings's median is -4.38% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Billings spans $187,655,Great Falls spans $195,410. Great Falls has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Billings
P10 (Entry)$152,437
P25$203,635
Median$237,994
P75$295,939
P90 (Top)$340,092
Great Falls
P10 (Entry)$144,466
P25$195,184
Median$230,191
P75$293,140
P90 (Top)$339,876

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Billings ($247,395 effective) pays 3.39% more than Great Falls ($239,284 effective).

Billings
Nominal: $237,994
CoL Index: 96.2
Adjusted: $247,395
Great Falls
Nominal: $230,191
CoL Index: 96.2
Adjusted: $239,284

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Billings if…

  • Higher median salary ($237,994/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($340,092)
  • Larger job market (26 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $247,395)
  • You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle

Choose Great Falls if…

  • You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Billings grew 4.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 4.6% growth in Great Falls over the same period.

Billings, MT

+4.6%

$216,244 (2024) → $226,230 (2025)

Great Falls, MT

+4.6%

$209,155 (2024) → $218,813 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Billings or Great Falls?

Billings has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $237,994/year, compared to Great Falls at $230,191/year — a difference of $7,803 (3.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Billings and Great Falls?

Billings nurse anesthetists earn $114.42/hr while Great Falls hygienists earn $110.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Billings to Great Falls as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Billings and Great Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Billings = $247,395, Great Falls = $239,284), job availability (26 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Billings vs Great Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $152,437 in Billings and $144,466 in Great Falls. The Billings 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