Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Overland Park, KS: $141,999 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Overland Park, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $141,999 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Overland Park's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $156,215 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($229,941) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in Overland Park, Kansas is projected to start at around $141,999, providing new graduates with a starting point that falls short of the city's median annual salary of $229,941. This creates a significant gap for early-career professionals, with new graduates positioning themselves toward higher earning potential as they gain experience. Over the first three to five years, expectations for salary growth are positive, with the possibility of reaching $192,744 as they progress through their early careers, driven by experience and expanded expertise. Given the competitive market for entry-level nurse anesthetists in Overland Park, it’s an encouraging time for new graduates seeking to establish themselves in this vital healthcare role.
About the Overland Park Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($205,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Overland Park
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 Overland Park
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Overland Park, KS typically start between $141,999 and $192,744 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $203,771 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $229,941 — 7.61% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Kansas of $80,000 represents just 56.34% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($141,999/year) in Overland Park. 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 Overland Park
- 1Research the Overland Park market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $141,999 to $192,744, 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 Overland Park, 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 Overland Park for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Overland Park'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 Overland Park is $203,771 ( 143.50%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $141,999, experienced hygienists can earn up to $345,770.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$110,836
2025 BLS Actual
$134,980
2026 Current Est.
$141,999
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Overland Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,836 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,478 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,626 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,086 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,704 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,846 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,999 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,383 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Overland Park, KS grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $110,836 in 2019 to $134,980 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $149,383. New graduates entering the Overland Park job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Overland Park 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 Overland Park
Employers in Overland Park that typically hire new grad nurse anesthetists include academic medical centers and large hospital systems, where opportunities abound for robust clinical experience. These institutions often implement formal transition-to-practice programs, which can be instrumental in easing new graduates into their roles. For those looking for a better lifestyle balance, outpatient surgery centers might be appealing as they often come with varied case loads and no call obligations. Gaining the necessary credentials, such as obtaining a CRNA license and NBCRNA certification, can enhance a nurse anesthetist's earning potential. Continued education, especially through fellowship programs in specialized areas like cardiac or pediatric anesthesia, as well as pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) degree, also plays a key role. Realistic expectations in terms of salary growth during the first one to three years in this profession suggest that diligent newcomers could expect increases aligned with the overall growth rate of 5.20%. Given the varying state models of practice, including the Anesthesia Care Team model routine in many regions, strategic career development can lead to fruitful opportunities and increasing responsibilities.
More salary data for Overland Park, 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 Overland Park. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Overland Park 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