Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Williston, ND: $151,775 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Williston, ND job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $151,775 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Williston's local price level (BEA RPP 92.0 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $164,973 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($218,496) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the nurse anesthetist field in Williston, North Dakota, the starting salary in 2026 is anticipated to be around $151,775. While this figure represents the lower end of the pay scale for nurse anesthetists, it still reflects the potential for significant growth over the initial years of one's career. Compared to the city median of $218,496, there is a noticeable gap; however, those in the early stages can expect to see their earnings rise as they gain experience, with projections indicating that salaries could reach approximately $195,117 within the first few years. Given the diverse healthcare landscape in Williston and the rising demand for anesthesia services, this region presents a promising market for new grad nurse anesthetists looking to start their careers.
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($220,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Williston
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 Williston
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Williston, ND typically start between $151,775 and $195,117 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $150,574 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $218,496 — 12.21% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in North Dakota of $90,000 represents just 59.30% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($151,775/year) in Williston. 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 Williston
- 1Research the Williston market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $151,775 to $195,117, 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 ND often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Williston, 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 Williston for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Williston'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 Williston is $150,574 ( 99.21%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $151,775, experienced hygienists can earn up to $302,349.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$118,466
2025 BLS Actual
$144,273
2026 Current Est.
$151,775
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Williston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,466 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,498 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,518 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,698 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,083 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,915 | Actual |
| 2025 | $144,273 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $151,775 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $159,668 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Williston, ND grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $118,466 in 2019 to $144,273 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $159,668. New graduates entering the Williston job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston 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 Williston
In Williston, several healthcare employers are open to hiring recent graduates for nurse anesthetist positions. Academic medical centers tend to provide the widest variety of cases, including specialized fields like cardiac and pediatric anesthesia, which are valuable experiences for those at the beginning of their careers. Additionally, large hospital systems may have structured transition-to-practice programs designed to help new nurse anesthetists acclimate to the profession. To enhance starting salaries in North Dakota, obtaining a CRNA license and NBCRNA certification is essential, along with pursuing further education such as a DNP or DNAP, which can position graduates favorably in the job market. Moreover, the professional environment varies notably; CRNAs typically practice independently in 19 opt-out states without the need for anesthesiologist supervision, while the Anesthesia Care Team model prevails in other regions, emphasizing the importance of understanding local practice regulations. Realistically, new graduates can anticipate incremental salary increases driven by experience and additional qualifications within their first three years in Williston.
More salary data for Williston, ND:
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 Williston. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Williston 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