Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Great Falls, MT: $144,466 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Great Falls, MT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $144,466 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Great Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 96.2 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $150,173 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($230,191) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates aiming for positions as nurse anesthetists in Great Falls, Montana, can expect starting salaries around $144,466. As they begin their careers, this initial figure presents a notable gap compared to the city’s median annual salary of $230,191. However, there is potential for salary growth in the first few years, with entry-level practitioners moving from the lower pay range at the P10 level towards mid-career earnings at the P25 level of $195,184 and beyond. The 5.20% annual growth rate indicates that the Great Falls market is relatively favorable for new nurse anesthetists, providing a promising pathway for financial progression over the initial 3-5 years of their careers.
About the Great Falls Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($218,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Great Falls
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 Great Falls
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Great Falls, MT typically start between $144,466 and $195,184 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $195,410 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $230,191 — 7.51% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Montana of $85,000 represents just 58.84% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($144,466/year) in Great Falls. 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 Great Falls
- 1Research the Great Falls market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $144,466 to $195,184, 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 MT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Great Falls, 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 Great Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Great Falls's moderate 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 Great Falls is $195,410 ( 135.26%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $144,466, experienced hygienists can earn up to $339,876.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$112,761
2025 BLS Actual
$137,325
2026 Current Est.
$144,466
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,761 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,502 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,618 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,259 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,818 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,605 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,325 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,466 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,978 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Great Falls, MT grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $112,761 in 2019 to $137,325 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $151,978. New graduates entering the Great Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great Falls 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 Great Falls
Employers in Great Falls that are receptive to hiring new grads include academic medical centers and large hospital systems, both of which may offer structured transition-to-practice programs that facilitate the integration of recent graduates into clinical roles. Credentials such as obtaining a CRNA license and certification from the NBCRNA, along with continued education through fellowships and specialized programs, significantly enhance a new grad nurse anesthetist's profile and earning potential. The practice landscape in Montana allows CRNAs to work both independently in opt-out states or within the Anesthesia Care Team model, impacting job opportunities and responsibilities. Realistic expectations for salary advancement in those first few years are crucial, as new graduates gradually establish their expertise and reputation, opening doors for higher-paying roles in this expanding field.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
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 Great Falls. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Great Falls 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