Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Kenmore, WA: $178,523 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Kenmore, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $178,523 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kenmore's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $166,223 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($250,961) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Kenmore, Washington, the anticipated starting nurse anesthetist salary for 2026 is around $178,523. This figure positions new graduates notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $250,961, highlighting a significant income disparity at the entry level. However, there’s a clear potential for growth as early-career CRNAs can expect to advance their earnings through experience and skill development, moving from the lower earnings quartile of $226,662 towards the median in just a few years. Given the existing healthcare market dynamics in Kenmore, it appears favorable for new graduates, who can take advantage of the robust demand for skilled nurse anesthetists in the region.
About the Kenmore Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($245,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kenmore
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 Kenmore
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Kenmore, WA typically start between $178,523 and $226,662 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $165,710 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $250,961 — 0.83% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Washington of $115,000 represents just 64.42% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($178,523/year) in Kenmore. 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 Kenmore
- 1Research the Kenmore market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $178,523 to $226,662, 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 Kenmore, 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 Kenmore for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kenmore'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 Kenmore is $165,710 ( 92.82%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $178,523, experienced hygienists can earn up to $344,233.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$139,344
2025 BLS Actual
$169,699
2026 Current Est.
$178,523
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Kenmore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $139,344 | Actual |
| 2020 | $146,438 | Actual |
| 2021 | $144,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $157,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $153,008 | Actual |
| 2024 | $164,852 | Actual |
| 2025 | $169,699 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $178,523 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $187,807 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Kenmore, WA grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $139,344 in 2019 to $169,699 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $187,807. New graduates entering the Kenmore job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kenmore 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 Kenmore
Employers in Kenmore specifically looking to hire new graduates include academic medical centers and large hospital systems that may offer structured transition-to-practice programs. New grads interested in varied anesthesia cases might gravitate towards these larger institutions, especially those providing a broad case mix such as cardiac or pediatric surgeries. Graduating with the requisite CRNA license from the state board of nursing, along with NBCRNA certification, is essential to getting started in WA. CRNAs can enhance their qualifications with optional fellowships or pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to potentially increase their starting compensation. As CRNAs, newly minted professionals in opt-out states have more autonomy than those working under the Anesthesia Care Team model, which may further influence their career trajectory and growth opportunities in the first few years. Realistic expectations of salary progression within this sector indicate a promising path as they gain additional experience, further aligning with the broader national growth rate of 5.20% projected over the next several years.
More salary data for Kenmore, 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 Kenmore. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kenmore 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