Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Akron, OH: $117,961 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Akron, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $117,961 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Akron's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $126,337 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($222,824) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Starting out as a nurse anesthetist in Akron, Ohio, offers a compelling range of salary expectations for new graduates. Those entering the field in 2026 can anticipate a starting salary around $117,961, which may seem lower when compared to the city's median annual salary of $222,824. However, there is a clear pathway for advancement. Over the first few years, professionals can expect realistic salary growth, moving from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile, which would offer around $126,251. With an annual growth rate projected at 5.20%, Akron is positioned as a solid market for recent nursing graduates looking to launch their careers in anesthesia, despite the challenge of competing with higher national averages.
Career Earnings Timeline in Akron
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 Akron
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Akron, OH typically start between $117,961 and $126,251 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $212,283 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $222,824 — 10.47% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Ohio of $100,000 represents just 84.77% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($117,961/year) in Akron. 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 Akron
- 1Research the Akron market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $117,961 to $126,251, 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 OH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Akron, 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 Akron for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Akron'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 Akron is $212,283 ( 179.96%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $117,961, experienced hygienists can earn up to $330,244.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$92,073
2025 BLS Actual
$112,130
2026 Current Est.
$117,961
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Akron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,073 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,222 | Actual |
| 2022 | $160,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,961 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,095 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Akron, OH grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $92,073 in 2019 to $112,130 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $124,095. New graduates entering the Akron job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Akron 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 Akron
Multiple institutions in Akron are eager to hire newly minted nurse anesthetists, particularly those from academic medical centers that provide exposure to a diverse array of cases, including cardiac and pediatric anesthesia. Large hospital systems frequently offer formal transition-to-practice programs that facilitate a smooth entry into the profession. Additionally, outpatient surgery centers appeal to new graduates seeking a balanced lifestyle, with no on-call requirements. Earning a CRNA license through the state board of nursing and obtaining certification from the NBCRNA enhances job prospects and starting pay in Ohio. Continuing education, such as fellowship programs in specialized areas, and pursuing terminal degrees like the DNP or DNAP can boost a new grad's marketability. Realistically, starting salaries will improve during the first three years, particularly with the growing emphasis on the expansion of CRNA autonomy, as more states adopt opt-out measures allowing for independent practice. This market offers a promising foundation for nurse anesthetists willing to strategically advance their skills and credentials.
More salary data for Akron, OH:
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 Akron. 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