Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Denver vs Littleton: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Denver, CO
$227,968
$109.60/hr
Littleton, CO
$248,275
$119.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, COLittleton, CO
Median Salary$227,968$248,275
Hourly Rate$109.60$119.36
Entry Level (P10)$191,632$170,692
25th Percentile$225,601$220,402
75th Percentile$228,621$308,902
Top Earner (P90)$246,263$350,261
Total Employed2007
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($227,968) and Littleton ($248,275) nurse anesthetist salaries.DenverLittletonMedian Salary$227,968$248,275Entry Level (P10)$191,632$170,692Top Earner (P90)$246,263$350,261US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Denver and Littleton is $20,307 (8.91%). Littleton's median is -0.25% 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,Littleton spans $179,569. Littleton 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
Littleton
P10 (Entry)$170,692
P25$220,402
Median$248,275
P75$308,902
P90 (Top)$350,261

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Littleton ($236,452 effective) pays 9.72% more than Denver ($215,507 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $227,968
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $215,507
Littleton
Nominal: $248,275
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $236,452

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 Littleton if…

  • Higher median salary ($248,275/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($350,261)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $236,452)
  • 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 Littleton over the same period.

Denver, CO

+17.3%

$184,810 (2019) → $216,700 (2025)

Littleton, CO

+7.5%

$219,454 (2024) → $236,003 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Denver or Littleton?

Littleton has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $248,275/year, compared to Denver at $227,968/year — a difference of $20,307 (8.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Littleton?

Denver nurse anesthetists earn $109.60/hr while Littleton hygienists earn $119.36/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Littleton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $215,507, Littleton = $236,452), job availability (200 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $191,632 in Denver and $170,692 in Littleton. 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