Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Lima, OH: $170,248 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Lima, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $170,248 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lima's local price level (BEA RPP 90.7 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $187,705 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($238,564) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates embarking on a career as nurse anesthetists in Lima, OH, can expect starting salaries that typically begin at around $170,248 in 2026. While this entry-level pay is noticeably lower than the city's median of $238,564, it provides a solid foundation for new CRNAs beginning their professional journey. Over the first few years, it is realistic for new graduates to experience salary enhancements, progressing from the initial figures toward the 25th percentile at $216,572 and potentially reaching the median salary as they gain experience. Lima presents a suitable market for new nurse anesthetists; with a projected annual growth rate of 5.20%, it offers an encouraging outlook for recent graduates aiming to build expertise in a supportive community.
About the Lima Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lima
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 Lima
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Lima, OH typically start between $170,248 and $216,572 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $150,800 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $238,564 — 4.15% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Ohio of $100,000 represents just 58.74% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($170,248/year) in Lima. 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 Lima
- 1Research the Lima market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $170,248 to $216,572, 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 Lima, 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 Lima for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lima'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 Lima is $150,800 ( 88.58%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $170,248, experienced hygienists can earn up to $321,048.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$132,885
2025 BLS Actual
$161,833
2026 Current Est.
$170,248
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Lima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,885 | Actual |
| 2020 | $139,651 | Actual |
| 2021 | $157,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $155,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $145,916 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,708 | Actual |
| 2025 | $161,833 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $170,248 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $179,101 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Lima, OH grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $132,885 in 2019 to $161,833 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $179,101. New graduates entering the Lima job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lima 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 Lima
Employers in Lima that are likely to hire new graduate nurse anesthetists include local hospitals and academic medical centers. These institutions often provide structured transition-to-practice programs and a diverse case mix that can be valuable for early-career clinicians. To enhance their earning potential, new grads should focus on obtaining certification through the NBCRNA and maintain their CRNA license as mandated by Ohio's state nursing board. Continuing education, such as specialized fellowships in areas like pediatric or cardiac anesthesia and pursuing advanced degrees like a DNP or DNAP, could further elevate their marketability. With CRNAs primarily practicing under either the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) model or independently in federal opt-out states, understanding the local structure is crucial. Realistic salary progression in the first few years is important, as entry-level CRNAs in Lima can expect their pay to climb steadily as they gain valuable experience and expertise in their roles.
More salary data for Lima, 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 Lima. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lima 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