Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Des Moines, WA: $177,468 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Des Moines, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $177,468 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Des Moines's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $165,240 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($264,841) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the starting nurse anesthetist salary in Des Moines, Washington, projects a P10 figure of $177,468, which reflects a notable gap from the overall city median of $264,841. For new graduates, this baseline starting pay represents a realistic entry point into the profession in a market where they can expect a growth trajectory that leads towards the P25 figure of $232,528 within the first few years of their careers. As an entry-level professional, the expectations for salary growth appear robust, making Des Moines an attractive location for new nurse anesthetists. The city's favorable salary outlook indicates that new graduates can build a financially sound future as they progress in their roles.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($245,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Des Moines
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 Des Moines
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Des Moines, WA typically start between $177,468 and $232,528 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $192,712 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $264,841 — 6.41% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Washington of $115,000 represents just 64.80% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($177,468/year) in Des Moines. 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 Des Moines
- 1Research the Des Moines market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $177,468 to $232,528, 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 Des Moines, 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 Des Moines for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Des Moines'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 Des Moines is $192,712 ( 108.59%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $177,468, experienced hygienists can earn up to $370,180.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$138,521
2025 BLS Actual
$168,696
2026 Current Est.
$177,468
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $138,521 | Actual |
| 2020 | $145,573 | Actual |
| 2021 | $143,258 | Actual |
| 2022 | $156,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $152,103 | Actual |
| 2024 | $163,566 | Actual |
| 2025 | $168,696 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $177,468 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $186,697 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Des Moines, WA grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $138,521 in 2019 to $168,696 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $186,697. New graduates entering the Des Moines job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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 Des Moines
In Des Moines, several key employers seek to hire newly graduated nurse anesthetists, including academic medical centers and large hospital systems. These institutions often provide structured transition-to-practice programs that support novices in expanding their experience across diverse case types. To enhance starting pay in Washington, attaining credentials such as a CRNA license and NBCRNA certification is essential. Graduates can further their education through optional fellowships in specialties like cardiac and pediatric anesthesia or pursue a terminal degree such as the DNP or DNAP. In the first three years of practice, CRNAs can anticipate significant salary growth, especially if they strategically pursue opportunities within the expanding CRNA-owned group practice model in opt-out states. Understanding the working dynamics of the Anesthesia Care Team model in Washington can also aid new professionals in navigating their early careers effectively.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
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 Des Moines. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Des Moines 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