Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Camas, WA: $172,855 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Camas, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $172,855 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Camas's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $160,945 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($253,660) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those entering the field as nurse anesthetists in Camas, Washington, 2026 presents a promising yet realistic starting salary of $172,855 at the 10th percentile. This initial figure reflects a noticeable gap compared to the city’s median annual salary of $253,660, suggesting that new graduates can expect to grow into higher pay brackets over their initial years. With a salary growth trajectory allowing movement from the 10th percentile to approximately $224,838 at the 25th percentile and eventually reaching the median, newcomers have a clear path for advancement. The Camas job market appears favorable for recent graduates, particularly as the demand for qualified CRNAs continues to rise, supported by a robust healthcare landscape in the region.
About the Camas Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($245,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Camas
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 Camas
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Camas, WA typically start between $172,855 and $224,838 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $185,083 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $253,660 — 1.92% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Washington of $115,000 represents just 66.53% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($172,855/year) in Camas. 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 Camas
- 1Research the Camas market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $172,855 to $224,838, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Camas, 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 Camas for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Camas'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 Camas is $185,083 ( 107.07%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $172,855, experienced hygienists can earn up to $357,938.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$134,920
2025 BLS Actual
$164,311
2026 Current Est.
$172,855
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Camas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $134,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $141,789 | Actual |
| 2021 | $139,535 | Actual |
| 2022 | $152,267 | Actual |
| 2023 | $148,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $159,495 | Actual |
| 2025 | $164,311 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $172,855 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $181,844 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Camas, WA grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $134,920 in 2019 to $164,311 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $181,844. New graduates entering the Camas job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Camas 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 Camas
In Camas, new nurse anesthetists will find several employment opportunities available at prominent institutions. Academic medical centers are ideal for new grads as they provide exposure to a wide variety of cases, including cardiac and pediatric anesthesia. Large hospital systems often have structured transition-to-practice programs, which can help smooth the transition from student to practitioner, enhancing both skills and confidence. Credentials such as obtaining a CRNA license through the state board of nursing and acquiring NBCRNA certification—along with ongoing education—are critical to improving starting pay in Washington. Typically, newly minted CRNAs find competitive salaries accelerate in their first three years, especially as they adapt to collaborative practices within the Anesthesia Care Team model in Washington. By honing their skills and gaining experience in diverse settings, entry-level nurse anesthetists can realistically anticipate significant growth in their earning potential as they build on their initial foundation.
More salary data for Camas, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for nurse anesthetists in Camas in 2026?
How fast do nurse anesthetist salaries grow in Camas?
Is nursing school worth it in Camas?
What do new nurse anesthetists make right out of school in Camas?
How do I become a nurse anesthetist in Washington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 Camas. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Camas 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