Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Cedar City, UT: $160,759 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Cedar City, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $160,759 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cedar City's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $163,873 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($240,903) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in Cedar City, UT, is projected to start at around $160,759 in 2026, which is significantly below the city’s median annual salary of $240,903 for this profession. While the starting pay might seem lower than expected, new graduates should view this as part of a growth trajectory that can lead to higher earnings over time. As they gain experience, early-career CRNAs can expect their salaries to rise steadily, bridging toward the 25th percentile at $219,587 within the initial few years. For newly licensed CRNAs, Cedar City offers a reasonable market environment, particularly when considering the area's cost of living index of 98.1, which is below the national average. Thus, early-career professionals have the potential to find fruitful opportunities in this region.
About the Cedar City Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cedar City
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 Cedar City
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Cedar City, UT typically start between $160,759 and $219,587 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $165,455 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $240,903 — 3.21% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Utah of $95,000 represents just 59.09% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($160,759/year) in Cedar City. 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 Cedar City
- 1Research the Cedar City market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $160,759 to $219,587, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cedar City, 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 Cedar City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cedar City's moderate 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 Cedar City is $165,455 ( 102.92%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $160,759, experienced hygienists can earn up to $326,214.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$125,479
2025 BLS Actual
$152,813
2026 Current Est.
$160,759
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Cedar City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $125,479 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,867 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $141,612 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,783 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,987 | Actual |
| 2025 | $152,813 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $160,759 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $169,119 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Cedar City, UT grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $125,479 in 2019 to $152,813 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $169,119. New graduates entering the Cedar City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar City 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 Cedar City
Employers in Cedar City that typically hire new grad nurse anesthetists include larger healthcare facilities and outpatient surgery centers, which may be beneficial for those looking to avoid the high-stress environment of hospital work initially. Specifically, academic medical centers tend to provide a diverse case mix, essential for new graduates seeking breadth in their clinical exposure. Pursuing additional credentials such as the CRNA license from the state board of nursing and NBCRNA certification—along with completing ongoing education through the CPC program—can enhance starting pay and career advancement opportunities. Notably, the Anesthesia Care Team model is prevalent in Utah, allowing CRNAs to work under medical direction which may impact their early career dynamics. Over the first few years, salary growth opportunities are present, especially for those who pursue specialized fellowships or higher degrees, such as a DNP or DNAP, providing them a pathway to increase their professional and financial competency in this evolving field.
More salary data for Cedar City, UT:
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 Cedar City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cedar City 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