Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Commerce City, CO: $169,004 (2026)

Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Commerce City, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $169,004 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Commerce City's local price level (BEA RPP 105.05% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $160,956 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($253,519) within a few years of clinical practice.

$169,004
Starting Salary
$81.26/hr
Starting Hourly
$169,004
Entry Level
$253,519
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Nurse Anesthetist Entry Level Salary in Commerce City, CO — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Commerce City, CO nurse anesthetist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Starting your career as a nurse anesthetist in Commerce City, CO, can lead to promising financial prospects. Entry-level professionals can anticipate a starting nurse anesthetist salary in Commerce City of about $169,004, which may appear lower than the overall median salary of $253,519 for experienced practitioners in the area. However, this initial earning level serves as a solid foundation as new graduates transition into the field, with the potential for increases as they gain experience and enhance their skills. Over the first three to five years, entry-level pay can rise significantly, reaching around $221,803 for the 25th percentile, thus allowing for realistic growth as individuals establish their professional reputations. For fresh graduates, Commerce City offers a viable market, particularly with the ongoing push for quality anesthesia care across various settings, making this a strategic time to enter the field.

About the Commerce City Market

Salary estimated from Colorado average ($220,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Commerce City

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$169,004/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$221,803/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$253,519/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$314,670/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Commerce City

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for nurse anesthetists in Commerce City. The median salary is $253,519, compared to the national median of $248,893.$152.1K$208.5K$264.9K$321.3K$377.7K$169.0K10th Pctl$221.8K25th Pctl$253.5KMedian$314.7K75th Pctl$359.7K90th PctlUS Median$248.9K

Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Commerce City, CO typically start between $169,004 and $221,803 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $190,713 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $253,5191.86% above the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of nurse anesthetist pay in the Commerce City metro area.

Return on Investment

$105,000
Avg CO Program Cost
$169,004
Starting Salary
62.13%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average nursing program cost in Colorado of $105,000 represents just 62.13% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($169,004/year) in Commerce City. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.

Program cost estimates based on COA-accredited (Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs) DNP/DNAP program data and AANA member tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary significantly by institution type (public vs. private university) and residency status. Most programs require 1+ years ICU RN experience before admission.

CRNA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Commerce City

  • 1Research the Commerce City market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $169,004 to $221,803, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
  • 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Commerce City, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
  • 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Commerce City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Commerce City's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.

Nurse Anesthetist Compensation Range

The nurse anesthetist wage spread in Commerce City is $190,713 ( 112.85%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $169,004, experienced hygienists can earn up to $359,717.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$131,914

2025 BLS Actual

$160,650

2026 Current Est.

$169,004

2019–2027 Growth

+34.8%

Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Commerce City (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for nurse anesthetists in Commerce City. Baseline $131,914 in 2025, projected to $177,792 by 2027.$122.7K$138.8K$154.9K$170.9K$187.0K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$131.9K$138.6K$136.4K$148.9K$144.8K$140.1K$160.7K$169.0K$177.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$131,914Actual
2020$138,630Actual
2021$136,426Actual
2022$148,874Actual
2023$144,849Actual
2024$140,108Actual
2025$160,650Actual
2026(current)$169,004Estimated
2027$177,792Projected

Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Commerce City, CO grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $131,914 in 2019 to $160,650 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $177,792. New graduates entering the Commerce City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Commerce City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Starting Your nursing Career in Commerce City

Employers in Commerce City that typically hire new grad nurse anesthetists include large hospital systems and outpatient surgery centers, each offering unique opportunities for recent graduates. Academic medical centers, known for their diverse case mixes—such as cardiac and pediatric anesthesia—are ideal for enhancing skills early in one’s career. Formal transition-to-practice programs at large hospitals can provide structured support as new CRNAs adapt to their roles. To enhance starting pay in Colorado, aspiring nurse anesthetists should prioritize obtaining their CRNA license through the state board of nursing, as well as certification from the NBCRNA, which includes maintaining credentials through their continuing professional competence program every eight years. Additionally, pursuing fellowships in specialized areas, such as cardiac or pain anesthesia, can further elevate one’s qualifications. As many CRNAs practice independently in opt-out states, understanding the Anesthesia Care Team model is essential, especially in states where supervision is required. Realistic salary growth in the first few years can depend largely on the type of employment setting and ongoing professional development initiatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for nurse anesthetists in Commerce City in 2026?

Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Commerce City start at approximately $169,004/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.20% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $81.25/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do nurse anesthetist salaries grow in Commerce City?

Most nurse anesthetists in Commerce City progress from the entry-level salary of $169,004 to the area median of $253,519 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $359,717 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is nursing school worth it in Commerce City?

With a starting salary of $169,004/year in Commerce City and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new nurse anesthetists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new nurse anesthetists make right out of school in Commerce City?

New nursing graduates in Commerce City typically start near the 10th percentile at $169,004/year, or approximately $81.25/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a nurse anesthetist in Colorado?

To become a licensed nurse anesthetist in Colorado, you typically need master's degree in nurse anesthesia., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Colorado, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some nurse anesthetists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Colorado

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

Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Commerce City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Commerce City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151).

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov

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