Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Derby, KS: $148,673 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Derby, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $148,673 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Derby's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $163,557 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($223,099) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the field of nurse anesthesia in Derby, Kansas, the starting salary is projected to be around $148,673 in 2026. This figure falls significantly below the city's median annual salary for nurse anesthetists, which is $223,099. Despite the initial gap, entry-level salaries can show promising growth as new nurse anesthetists accumulate experience and enhance their skills. Over the first few years, many can expect to earn upwards of $194,574 as they progress through their early career. Given the local healthcare landscape, Derby presents a viable market for new graduates, with opportunities available that could facilitate a quick ramp-up in their income as they transition from the educational environment to professional practice.
About the Derby Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($205,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Derby
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 Derby
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Derby, KS typically start between $148,673 and $194,574 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $161,084 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $223,099 — 10.36% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Kansas of $80,000 represents just 53.81% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($148,673/year) in Derby. 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 Derby
- 1Research the Derby market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $148,673 to $194,574, 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 KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Derby, 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 Derby for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Derby'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 Derby is $161,084 ( 108.35%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $148,673, experienced hygienists can earn up to $309,757.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$116,045
2025 BLS Actual
$141,324
2026 Current Est.
$148,673
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Derby (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,045 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,953 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,014 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,965 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,424 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,612 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,324 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $148,673 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $156,404 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Derby, KS grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $116,045 in 2019 to $141,324 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $156,404. New graduates entering the Derby job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Derby 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 Derby
Entering the workforce as a nurse anesthetist in Derby often involves securing positions with local healthcare providers, including larger hospitals and outpatient surgery centers. Major healthcare systems may implement structured transition-to-practice programs, allowing new graduates to gain valuable experience in diverse specialties like cardiac and pediatric anesthesia. Earning credentials such as the CRNA license and NBCRNA certification is essential to navigate this entry phase, and pursuing continuing education, such as optional fellowships, could further enhance starting salaries in Kansas. In the context of the Anesthesia Care Team model prevalent in the state, CRNAs will gain clinical autonomy as they build their skills. With realistic salary expectations for the early career phase, professionals can anticipate meaningful growth as they develop in a region where nurse anesthetist roles are increasingly vital.
More salary data for Derby, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for nurse anesthetists in Derby in 2026?
How fast do nurse anesthetist salaries grow in Derby?
Is nursing school worth it in Derby?
What do new nurse anesthetists make right out of school in Derby?
How do I become a nurse anesthetist in Kansas?
Related Pages
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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 Derby. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Derby 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