Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Brighton vs Colorado Springs: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Brighton, CO and Colorado Springs, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brighton, CO
$249,107
$119.76/hr
Colorado Springs, CO
$271,562
$130.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrighton, COColorado Springs, CO
Median Salary$249,107$271,562
Hourly Rate$119.76$130.56
Entry Level (P10)$172,612$176,715
25th Percentile$222,137$234,966
75th Percentile$310,526$338,256
Top Earner (P90)$353,639$420,551
Total Employed798
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brighton ($249,107) and Colorado Springs ($271,562) nurse anesthetist salaries.BrightonColorado SpringsMedian Salary$249,107$271,562Entry Level (P10)$172,612$176,715Top Earner (P90)$353,639$420,551US Median $248,893

Verdict

Colorado Springs, CO offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Brighton.

The salary gap between Brighton and Colorado Springs is $22,455 (9.01%). Colorado Springs's median is +9.11% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brighton spans $181,027,Colorado Springs spans $243,836. Colorado Springs has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Brighton
P10 (Entry)$172,612
P25$222,137
Median$249,107
P75$310,526
P90 (Top)$353,639
Colorado Springs
P10 (Entry)$176,715
P25$234,966
Median$271,562
P75$338,256
P90 (Top)$420,551

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Colorado Springs ($258,630 effective) pays 9.01% more than Brighton ($237,245 effective).

Brighton
Nominal: $249,107
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $237,245
Colorado Springs
Nominal: $271,562
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $258,630

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brighton if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Colorado Springs if…

  • Higher median salary ($271,562/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($420,551)
  • Larger job market (98 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $258,630)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Brighton grew 7.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 51.7% growth in Colorado Springs over the same period.

Brighton, CO

+7.5%

$220,189 (2024) → $236,794 (2025)

Colorado Springs, CO

+51.7%

$170,150 (2020) → $258,139 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Brighton or Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $271,562/year, compared to Brighton at $249,107/year — a difference of $22,455 (9.01%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brighton and Colorado Springs?

Brighton nurse anesthetists earn $119.76/hr while Colorado Springs hygienists earn $130.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brighton to Colorado Springs as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brighton and Colorado Springs. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brighton = $237,245, Colorado Springs = $258,630), job availability (7 vs 98 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Brighton vs Colorado Springs?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $172,612 in Brighton and $176,715 in Colorado Springs. The Colorado Springs 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