Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Lewiston, ID: $161,337 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Lewiston, ID job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $161,337 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lewiston's local price level (BEA RPP 95.3 — 5% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $169,294 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($228,100) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Entering the field of nurse anesthesia in Lewiston, Idaho, offers new graduates a promising starting point, with an entry-level salary projected at $161,337 in 2026. This figure, while lower than the city median of $228,100, still represents a solid launching pad for early-career CRNAs. Aspirants can anticipate reasonable pay progression over their first few years, moving towards the 25th percentile figure of $205,827 as they gain experience. Overall, this salary ranges can lead to sustained growth, making Lewiston a favorable market for recent graduates, especially considering the 5.20% projected annual growth rate in this profession.
About the Lewiston Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lewiston
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lewiston
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Lewiston, ID typically start between $161,337 and $205,827 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $158,267 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $228,100 — 8.35% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Idaho of $75,000 represents just 46.49% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($161,337/year) in Lewiston. 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 Lewiston
- 1Research the Lewiston market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $161,337 to $205,827, 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 ID often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lewiston, 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 Lewiston for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lewiston'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 Lewiston is $158,267 ( 98.10%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $161,337, experienced hygienists can earn up to $319,604.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$125,930
2025 BLS Actual
$153,362
2026 Current Est.
$161,337
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Lewiston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $125,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,341 | Actual |
| 2021 | $130,237 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,278 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,913 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,362 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $161,337 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $169,726 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Lewiston, ID grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $125,930 in 2019 to $153,362 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $169,726. New graduates entering the Lewiston job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 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 Lewiston
In terms of employment opportunities for new nurse anesthetists in Lewiston, local health systems, including hospitals and outpatient surgery centers, actively look to fill these positions. Academic medical centers tend to provide the most varied clinical exposure for recent graduates, allowing them to work on a diverse case mix that includes cardiac and pediatric specialties. New professionals should focus on obtaining their CRNA licensure and the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) certification; these credentials are vital for enhancing earning potential. Education is key—considering optional fellowships in cardiac anesthesia or pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) can significantly impact career trajectory. Realistically, entry-level salaries in this sector can experience moderate growth in the first three years, especially as newly minted CRNAs navigate the differences between states operating under independent practice versus those adhering to the Anesthesia Care Team model, where they may need to work under medical supervision.
More salary data for Lewiston, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 Lewiston. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lewiston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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