Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Castle Rock vs Denver: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Castle Rock, CO and Denver, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Castle Rock, CO
$257,431
$123.77/hr
Denver, CO
$227,968
$109.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCastle Rock, CODenver, CO
Median Salary$257,431$227,968
Hourly Rate$123.77$109.60
Entry Level (P10)$177,048$191,632
25th Percentile$229,896$225,601
75th Percentile$314,187$228,621
Top Earner (P90)$357,358$246,263
Total Employed14200
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Castle Rock ($257,431) and Denver ($227,968) nurse anesthetist salaries.Castle RockDenverMedian Salary$257,431$227,968Entry Level (P10)$177,048$191,632Top Earner (P90)$357,358$246,263US Median $248,893

Verdict

Castle Rock, CO offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Denver.

The salary gap between Castle Rock and Denver is $29,463 (12.92%). Castle Rock's median is +3.43% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Castle Rock spans $180,310,Denver spans $54,631. Castle Rock has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Castle Rock
P10 (Entry)$177,048
P25$229,896
Median$257,431
P75$314,187
P90 (Top)$357,358
Denver
P10 (Entry)$191,632
P25$225,601
Median$227,968
P75$228,621
P90 (Top)$246,263

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Castle Rock ($245,172 effective) pays 13.77% more than Denver ($215,507 effective).

Castle Rock
Nominal: $257,431
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $245,172
Denver
Nominal: $227,968
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $215,507

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Castle Rock if…

  • Higher median salary ($257,431/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($357,358)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $245,172)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Denver if…

  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Castle Rock grew 7.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.3% growth in Denver over the same period.

Castle Rock, CO

+7.5%

$227,547 (2024) → $244,706 (2025)

Denver, CO

+17.3%

$184,810 (2019) → $216,700 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Castle Rock or Denver?

Castle Rock has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $257,431/year, compared to Denver at $227,968/year — a difference of $29,463 (12.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Castle Rock and Denver?

Castle Rock nurse anesthetists earn $123.77/hr while Denver hygienists earn $109.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Castle Rock to Denver as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Castle Rock and Denver. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Castle Rock = $245,172, Denver = $215,507), job availability (14 vs 200 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Castle Rock vs Denver?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $177,048 in Castle Rock and $191,632 in Denver. The Denver 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