Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Pierre, SD: $142,901 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Pierre, SD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $142,901 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pierre's local price level (BEA RPP 92.8 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $153,988 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($217,001) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates considering a career as a nurse anesthetist in Pierre, SD, should have realistic expectations regarding starting compensation. The projected entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in Pierre is $142,901 in 2026, which is notably below the city median annual salary of $217,001. While this starting figure might seem low compared to the median, it still offers the potential for growth over the first few years. New graduates can anticipate moving through the salary ranges, reaching around $201,082 by the time they reach the 25th percentile, illustrating an upward trajectory that can lead them closer to the median as they gain experience. Currently, Pierre is an attractive market for new nurse anesthetist graduates due to its steady demand for qualified practitioners and its competitive starting pay.
About the Pierre Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($218,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Pierre
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 Pierre
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Pierre, SD typically start between $142,901 and $201,082 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $155,044 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $217,001 — 12.81% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in South Dakota of $90,000 represents just 62.98% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($142,901/year) in Pierre. 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 Pierre
- 1Research the Pierre market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $142,901 to $201,082, 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 SD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Pierre, 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 Pierre for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Pierre'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 Pierre is $155,044 ( 108.50%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $142,901, experienced hygienists can earn up to $297,945.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$111,539
2025 BLS Actual
$135,837
2026 Current Est.
$142,901
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Pierre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,539 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,218 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,354 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,476 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,794 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,837 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,901 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,331 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Pierre, SD grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $111,539 in 2019 to $135,837 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $150,331. New graduates entering the Pierre job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pierre 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 Pierre
Employers in Pierre that typically hire entry-level nurse anesthetists include academic medical centers and large hospital systems, both of which offer formal transition-to-practice programs. These programs provide exposure to a diverse range of cases, such as cardiac and pediatric anesthesia, which is invaluable for early-career professionals. Obtaining a CRNA license through the state board of nursing and securing NBCRNA certification significantly enhances starting pay opportunities in South Dakota. New graduates might also consider optional fellowships in specialized areas, which further strengthen their credentials. Career strategies in their first one to three years should emphasize the importance of understanding the Anesthesia Care Team model, as many practices in the state require CRNAs to work under medical direction. While the starting point is lower than the national median of $248,893, the annual growth rate of 5.20% suggests a positive outlook for salary advancements in this evolving field, particularly for those who engage proactively in continuing education and specialization.
More salary data for Pierre, SD:
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 Pierre. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pierre 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