Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Lee's Summit, MO: $145,217 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Lee's Summit, MO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $145,217 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lee's Summit's local price level (BEA RPP 89.6 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $162,073 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($221,048) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, new graduates entering the nurse anesthetist profession in Lee's Summit, Missouri, can expect a starting salary of around $145,217. This figure represents a considerable gap when compared to the city's median annual salary of $221,048. As they advance in their careers, early-career professionals can anticipate a gradual increase in their earnings, with projections placing the income at approximately $191,888 within the first few years. Given this trajectory, Lee's Summit offers a favorable environment for new nurse anesthetists to begin their careers, as the region's healthcare demand supports the potential for progressive salary growth while maintaining a reasonable cost of living index at 89.6.
About the Lee's Summit Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lee's Summit
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 Lee's Summit
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Lee's Summit, MO typically start between $145,217 and $191,888 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $184,187 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $221,048 — 11.19% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Missouri of $85,000 represents just 58.53% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($145,217/year) in Lee's Summit. 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 Lee's Summit
- 1Research the Lee's Summit market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $145,217 to $191,888, 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 MO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lee's Summit, 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 Lee's Summit for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lee's Summit'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 Lee's Summit is $184,187 ( 126.84%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $145,217, experienced hygienists can earn up to $329,404.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$113,348
2025 BLS Actual
$138,039
2026 Current Est.
$145,217
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Lee's Summit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,348 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,118 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,224 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,921 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,462 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,693 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,039 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,217 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,768 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Lee's Summit, MO grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $113,348 in 2019 to $138,039 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $152,768. New graduates entering the Lee's Summit job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lee's Summit 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 Lee's Summit
Employers in Lee's Summit that typically employ new grad nurse anesthetists include local hospitals and academic medical centers, which provide diverse clinical experiences in areas like cardiac and pediatric anesthesia. Notably, large hospital systems often have formal transition-to-practice programs for new graduates, which can help bridge the gap between education and practice. Obtaining credentials such as the CRNA license from the Missouri Board of Nursing and NBCRNA certification is crucial for enhancing earning potential. Optional fellowships and advanced degrees like the DNP or DNAP can also prove beneficial as they deepen clinical expertise. Newly graduated CRNAs in Missouri can anticipate realistic salary growth over the first few years, as they refine their practice skills and acclimatize to the Anesthesia Care Team model prevalent in many facilities. The understanding of both independent practice in opt-out states and collaborative models will be essential for a successful career trajectory in the profession.
More salary data for Lee's Summit, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for nurse anesthetists in Lee's Summit in 2026?
How fast do nurse anesthetist salaries grow in Lee's Summit?
Is nursing school worth it in Lee's Summit?
What do new nurse anesthetists make right out of school in Lee's Summit?
How do I become a nurse anesthetist in Missouri?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
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 Lee's Summit. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lee's Summit 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