Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Hays, KS: $156,049 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Hays, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $156,049 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Hays's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $171,671 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($211,827) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those embarking on their careers as nurse anesthetists in Hays, KS, the entry-level salary presents a solid foundation. In 2026, new graduates can anticipate starting pay around $156,049, which is notably lower than the median annual salary for the region of $211,827. This indicates a gap for entry-level positions, but it allows room for growth as professionals transition through their early years. Over the first three to five years, entry-level nurse anesthetists can expect their earnings to rise steadily, moving towards the P25 threshold of $195,386 and potentially reaching the median with sufficient experience and skill development. Given the 5.20% projected growth rate and the favorable cost of living index in Hays, this market appears to offer promising opportunities for new grads entering the field.
About the Hays Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($205,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Hays
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 Hays
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Hays, KS typically start between $156,049 and $195,386 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $132,912 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $211,827 — 14.89% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Kansas of $80,000 represents just 51.27% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($156,049/year) in Hays. 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 Hays
- 1Research the Hays market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $156,049 to $195,386, 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 Hays, 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 Hays for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Hays'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 Hays is $132,912 ( 85.17%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $156,049, experienced hygienists can earn up to $288,961.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$121,803
2025 BLS Actual
$148,336
2026 Current Est.
$156,049
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Hays (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,803 | Actual |
| 2020 | $128,004 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,969 | Actual |
| 2022 | $137,463 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,746 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,847 | Actual |
| 2025 | $148,336 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $156,049 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $164,164 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Hays, KS grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $121,803 in 2019 to $148,336 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $164,164. New graduates entering the Hays job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hays 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 Hays
In Hays, potential employers such as large hospital systems and outpatient surgery centers provide varied environments for new graduate nurse anesthetists. The former often have formal transition-to-practice programs that equip recent graduates with a broad range of clinical experiences, which is critical early in their careers. New CRNAs should consider obtaining their state CRNA license and NBCRNA certification, as these credentials boost earning potential. Pursuing additional qualifications, such as optional fellowships in specialized fields or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, can further enhance their profiles. Career strategy in the initial years should focus on gaining diverse experiences and considering the dynamics of practice settings. In Kansas, the Anesthesia Care Team model is prevalent, meaning many new graduates will work under medical direction, but opportunities may also exist in federal opt-out states for independent practice. Realistic salary growth expectations in Hays suggest that through skill advancement and strategic career choices, new nurses can expect to increase their pay significantly within their first few years in practice.
More salary data for Hays, 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 Hays. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hays 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