Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

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 89.610% 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.

$145,217
Starting Salary
$69.81/hr
Starting Hourly
$145,217
Entry Level
$221,048
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Nurse Anesthetist Entry Level Salary in Lee's Summit, MO — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Lee's Summit, MO nurse anesthetist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$145,217/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$191,888/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$221,048/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$282,219/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lee's Summit

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for nurse anesthetists in Lee's Summit. The median salary is $221,048, compared to the national median of $248,893.$130.7K$184.5K$238.3K$292.1K$345.9K$145.2K10th Pctl$191.9K25th Pctl$221.0KMedian$282.2K75th Pctl$329.4K90th PctlUS Median$248.9K

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 $221,04811.19% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of nurse anesthetist pay in the Lee's Summit metro area.

Return on Investment

$85,000
Avg MO Program Cost
$145,217
Starting Salary
58.53%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for nurse anesthetists in Lee's Summit. Baseline $113,348 in 2025, projected to $152,768 by 2027.$105.5K$119.3K$133.1K$146.9K$160.7K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$113.3K$119.1K$117.2K$127.9K$124.5K$117.7K$138.0K$145.2K$152.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$113,348Actual
2020$119,118Actual
2021$117,224Actual
2022$127,921Actual
2023$124,462Actual
2024$117,693Actual
2025$138,039Actual
2026(current)$145,217Estimated
2027$152,768Projected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lee's Summit metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for nurse anesthetists in Lee's Summit in 2026?

Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Lee's Summit start at approximately $145,217/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.20% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $69.82/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do nurse anesthetist salaries grow in Lee's Summit?

Most nurse anesthetists in Lee's Summit progress from the entry-level salary of $145,217 to the area median of $221,048 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $329,404 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is nursing school worth it in Lee's Summit?

With a starting salary of $145,217/year in Lee's Summit and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new nurse anesthetists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new nurse anesthetists make right out of school in Lee's Summit?

New nursing graduates in Lee's Summit typically start near the 10th percentile at $145,217/year, or approximately $69.82/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a nurse anesthetist in Missouri?

To become a licensed nurse anesthetist in Missouri, you typically need master's degree in nurse anesthesia., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Missouri, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some nurse anesthetists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Missouri

AJ

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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Lee, DNP, CRNAData verified by Fatima Ahmad, MSN, CRNA

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).

View estimation methodology

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

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