Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Milwaukee vs Pleasant Prairie: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Milwaukee, WI and Pleasant Prairie, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Milwaukee, WI
$297,548
$143.05/hr
Pleasant Prairie, WI
$269,596
$129.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIPleasant Prairie, WI
Median Salary$297,548$269,596
Hourly Rate$143.05$129.62
Entry Level (P10)$238,667$182,308
25th Percentile$278,475$236,819
75th Percentile$303,544$323,979
Top Earner (P90)$303,544$374,943
Total Employed2104
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($297,548) and Pleasant Prairie ($269,596) nurse anesthetist salaries.MilwaukeePleasant PrairieMedian Salary$297,548$269,596Entry Level (P10)$238,667$182,308Top Earner (P90)$303,544$374,943US Median $248,893

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Pleasant Prairie.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Pleasant Prairie is $27,952 (10.37%). Milwaukee's median is +19.55% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $64,877,Pleasant Prairie spans $192,635. Pleasant Prairie has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$238,667
P25$278,475
Median$297,548
P75$303,544
P90 (Top)$303,544
Pleasant Prairie
P10 (Entry)$182,308
P25$236,819
Median$269,596
P75$323,979
P90 (Top)$374,943

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($306,950 effective) pays 6.34% more than Pleasant Prairie ($288,647 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $297,548
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $306,950
Pleasant Prairie
Nominal: $269,596
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $288,647

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($297,548/year)
  • Larger job market (210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $306,950)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Pleasant Prairie if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($374,943)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Milwaukee grew 40.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.4% growth in Pleasant Prairie over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+40.3%

$201,560 (2019) → $282,840 (2025)

Pleasant Prairie, WI

+28.4%

$199,619 (2024) → $256,270 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Milwaukee or Pleasant Prairie?

Milwaukee has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $297,548/year, compared to Pleasant Prairie at $269,596/year — a difference of $27,952 (10.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Pleasant Prairie?

Milwaukee nurse anesthetists earn $143.05/hr while Pleasant Prairie hygienists earn $129.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Pleasant Prairie as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Pleasant Prairie. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $306,950, Pleasant Prairie = $288,647), job availability (210 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Milwaukee vs Pleasant Prairie?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $238,667 in Milwaukee and $182,308 in Pleasant Prairie. The Milwaukee 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