Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Des Moines, IA: $237,500 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Des Moines, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $237,500 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Des Moines's local price level (BEA RPP 91.7 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $258,994 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($250,029) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, those entering the nurse anesthetist field in Des Moines could anticipate a starting salary around $237,500, aligning with entry-level offerings in the region. This figure represents a promising beginning, as it is only about 5% lower than the median annual pay of $250,029 for the area. New graduates will likely experience a salary increase within their first few years, progressing from the entry-level benchmarks toward the median as they gain experience and refine their skills. Des Moines presents an appealing market for recent graduates seeking positions as nurse anesthetists, given its advantageous salary projections and a growing healthcare landscape that values the critical role of CRNAs.
Career Earnings Timeline in Des Moines
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 Des Moines
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Des Moines, IA typically start between $237,500 and $237,500 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $100,224 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $250,029 — 0.46% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Iowa of $95,000 represents just 40.00% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($237,500/year) in Des Moines. 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 Des Moines
- 1Research the Des Moines market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $237,500 to $237,500, 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 IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Des Moines, 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 Des Moines for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Des Moines's below-average 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 Des Moines is $100,224 ( 42.20%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $237,500, experienced hygienists can earn up to $337,724.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$144,460
2025 BLS Actual
$225,760
2026 Current Est.
$237,500
2019–2027 Growth
+73.0%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $144,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $155,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $191,718 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $209,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $218,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $225,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $237,500 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $249,849 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Des Moines, IA grew 56.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $144,460 in 2019 to $225,760 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $249,849. New graduates entering the Des Moines job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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 Des Moines
Employers in Des Moines typically include large hospital systems and academic medical centers that are well-equipped to hire new graduates. These institutions often offer robust transition-to-practice programs that can enhance the skills of fresh CRNA graduates. New grads may also consider outpatient surgery centers that emphasize lifestyle flexibility, as these settings might offer schedules without call requirements. Pursuing certifications and additional qualifications such as the CRNA license, NBCRNA certification, or even optional fellowships in specialized anesthesia areas can further elevate starting pay in Iowa. For those in the early stages of their careers, realistic salary growth expectations align with the 5.20% projected annual growth rate, reflecting both local market demands and the broader national trends where practitioner roles are expanding, especially in opt-out states.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
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 Des Moines. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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