Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Denver vs Erie: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Denver, CO
$227,968
$109.60/hr
Erie, CO
$258,577
$124.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, COErie, CO
Median Salary$227,968$258,577
Hourly Rate$109.60$124.31
Entry Level (P10)$191,632$172,691
25th Percentile$225,601$226,600
75th Percentile$228,621$312,894
Top Earner (P90)$246,263$351,592
Total Employed2005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($227,968) and Erie ($258,577) nurse anesthetist salaries.DenverErieMedian Salary$227,968$258,577Entry Level (P10)$191,632$172,691Top Earner (P90)$246,263$351,592US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Denver and Erie is $30,609 (13.43%). Erie's median is +3.89% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denver spans $54,631,Erie spans $178,901. Erie has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Denver
P10 (Entry)$191,632
P25$225,601
Median$227,968
P75$228,621
P90 (Top)$246,263
Erie
P10 (Entry)$172,691
P25$226,600
Median$258,577
P75$312,894
P90 (Top)$351,592

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Erie ($246,264 effective) pays 14.27% more than Denver ($215,507 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $227,968
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $215,507
Erie
Nominal: $258,577
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $246,264

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denver if…

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

Choose Erie if…

  • Higher median salary ($258,577/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($351,592)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $246,264)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Denver grew 17.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.5% growth in Erie over the same period.

Denver, CO

+17.3%

$184,810 (2019) → $216,700 (2025)

Erie, CO

+7.5%

$228,560 (2024) → $245,796 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Denver or Erie?

Erie has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $258,577/year, compared to Denver at $227,968/year — a difference of $30,609 (13.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Erie?

Denver nurse anesthetists earn $109.60/hr while Erie hygienists earn $124.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denver to Erie as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Erie. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $215,507, Erie = $246,264), job availability (200 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $191,632 in Denver and $172,691 in Erie. 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