Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Lincoln, NE: $198,355 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Lincoln, NE job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $198,355 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lincoln's local price level (BEA RPP 91.6 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $216,590 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($227,264) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the nurse anesthetist field in Lincoln, Nebraska, the expected starting pay can be quite strong, with entry-level positions projected at around $198,355 in 2026. This figure falls just below the city’s median annual salary of $227,264, indicating a potential 13% gap that early-career professionals can aim to close as they gain experience. For those in their first few years, the path from the entry-level threshold to the median salary should be reasonable, thanks to the favorable growth trajectory of approximately 5.20% annually. Overall, Lincoln presents a promising market for new nurse anesthetists, balancing competitive pay with opportunities for professional development.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lincoln
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 Lincoln
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Lincoln, NE typically start between $198,355 and $198,365 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $33,053 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $227,264 — 8.69% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Nebraska of $90,000 represents just 45.37% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($198,355/year) in Lincoln. 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 Lincoln
- 1Research the Lincoln market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $198,355 to $198,365, 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 NE often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lincoln, 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 Lincoln for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lincoln'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 Lincoln is $33,053 ( 16.66%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $198,355, experienced hygienists can earn up to $231,408.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$154,824
2025 BLS Actual
$188,550
2026 Current Est.
$198,355
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $154,824 | Actual |
| 2020 | $162,706 | Actual |
| 2021 | $160,119 | Actual |
| 2022 | $177,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $175,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $188,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $198,355 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $208,669 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Lincoln, NE grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $154,824 in 2019 to $188,550 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $208,669. New graduates entering the Lincoln job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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 Lincoln
In Lincoln, new nurse anesthetists find ample employment opportunities, particularly in academic medical centers and larger hospital systems that often implement formal transition-to-practice programs. These institutions typically offer a diverse case mix that is advantageous for early-career professionals, including experiences with cardiac and pediatric anesthesia. To enhance their starting pay, graduates should prioritize obtaining their CRNA license and the NBCRNA certification, alongside considering optional fellowships or pursuing a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP). In the first few years, salary growth tends to be steady, effectively leading new grads to a more robust earning potential as they navigate their careers. As practitioners, CRNAs benefit from the expanding group-practice model in opt-out states, providing additional avenues for professional autonomy and income generation.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
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 Lincoln. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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