Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Dodge City, KS: $145,715 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Dodge City, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $145,715 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Dodge City's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $160,303 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($214,040) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates considering the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in Dodge City, KS, can expect a starting pay at the 10th percentile of about $145,715 in 2026. While this figure is significantly below the median annual salary of $214,040 for nurse anesthetists in the area, it still provides a solid foundation for recent graduates entering the profession. With a 5.20% annual growth rate anticipated, professionals can reasonably expect to see their salaries climb from the entry-level mark toward the 25th percentile salary of $188,947 within the first few years of practice. Consequently, Dodge City appears to be a feasible market for new grads, offering a pathway to financial growth as they gain experience and enhance their skill set.
About the Dodge City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($205,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Dodge City
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 Dodge City
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Dodge City, KS typically start between $145,715 and $188,947 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $147,511 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $214,040 — 14% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Kansas of $80,000 represents just 54.90% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($145,715/year) in Dodge 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 Dodge City
- 1Research the Dodge City market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $145,715 to $188,947, 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 Dodge 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 Dodge City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Dodge City'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 Dodge City is $147,511 ( 101.23%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $145,715, experienced hygienists can earn up to $293,226.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$113,736
2025 BLS Actual
$138,512
2026 Current Est.
$145,715
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Dodge City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,736 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,526 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,626 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,359 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,888 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,494 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,512 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,715 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $153,292 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Dodge City, KS grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $113,736 in 2019 to $138,512 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $153,292. New graduates entering the Dodge City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dodge City 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 Dodge City
In Dodge City, several healthcare employers actively recruit new graduate nurse anesthetists, providing varied opportunities for professional advancement. Major hospital systems frequently run structured transition-to-practice programs essential for building a robust skill set early in one's career, while outpatient surgery centers are attractive for those valuing a lifestyle with predictable hours and limited on-call demands. Additionally, obtaining credentials such as a CRNA license through the state board of nursing and NBCRNA certification can bolster starting pay. Ongoing education, including optional fellowships and pursuing a DNP or DNAP, further enhances earning potential. As CRNAs operate independently in many states, understanding these trends and the varying employment models—especially the Anesthesia Care Team framework predominantly used in Dodge City—will empower new graduates to make informed career choices as they embark on their first 1-3 years in the field, aligning their professional goals with the market demands.
More salary data for Dodge City, KS:
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 Dodge City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Dodge 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).
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