Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Moline, IL: $158,422 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Moline, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $158,422 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Moline's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $163,153 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($238,579) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a new graduate pursuing a nurse anesthetist position in Moline, Illinois, can expect a starting salary around $158,422, which is significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary of $238,579. This entry-level figure indicates a notable gap for early-career professionals, suggesting that new CRNAs may face financial pressure at the onset. However, as they gain experience over the first few years, they can anticipate an upward trajectory, with the potential to earn around $208,400 after a few years of practice. Despite the competitive starting compensation, Moline’s emerging market could offer promising opportunities for recent graduates looking to establish their careers in this crucial healthcare field.
About the Moline Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Moline
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 Moline
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Moline, IL typically start between $158,422 and $208,400 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $164,904 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $238,579 — 4.14% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Illinois of $100,000 represents just 63.12% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($158,422/year) in Moline. 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 Moline
- 1Research the Moline market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $158,422 to $208,400, 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 IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Moline, 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 Moline for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Moline'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 Moline is $164,904 ( 104.09%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $158,422, experienced hygienists can earn up to $323,326.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$123,654
2025 BLS Actual
$150,591
2026 Current Est.
$158,422
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Moline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,654 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,884 | Actual |
| 2022 | $139,553 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,779 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,053 | Actual |
| 2025 | $150,591 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $158,422 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $166,660 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Moline, IL grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $123,654 in 2019 to $150,591 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $166,660. New graduates entering the Moline job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moline 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 Moline
Several healthcare institutions in Moline are potential employers for entry-level nurse anesthetists, with academic medical centers offering varied clinical experiences that can enhance a new grad’s competency in complex cases. Large hospital systems may have structured transition-to-practice programs, providing mentorship and support tailored to novice anesthetists. To increase their starting pay in Illinois, newly licensed CRNAs are encouraged to pursue community-focused education and certifications, such as the NBCRNA certification and optional fellowships in specialized areas like cardiac or pediatric anesthesia. Entering the workforce in a state employing the Anesthesia Care Team model, novice CRNAs will work under the medical direction of anesthesiologists, primarily in environments where appropriate support is critical during these formative years. Thus, early-career practitioners can expect modest but steady salary increases as they adapt to the demands of the profession over the initial three years, ultimately enhancing their earning potential in this specialized field.
More salary data for Moline, IL:
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 Moline. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Moline 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