Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Kenosha, WI: $175,001 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Kenosha, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $175,001 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kenosha's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $187,367 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($281,487) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Kenosha serves as a promising market for newly graduated nurse anesthetists looking to launch their careers. The projected starting nurse anesthetist salary in Kenosha for 2026 is $175,001, which is significantly lower than the median annual salary of $281,487 for this role in the city. This gap suggests that early-career professionals can expect a steady trajectory of salary growth as they gain experience, bridging from the entry-level figure to the 25th percentile ($253,675) within just a few years. For graduates, this indicates that pursuing a position in Kenosha could still lead to substantial financial rewards in the medium term, especially given the city's lower-than-average cost of living index of 93.4 compared to the national average.
About the Kenosha Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($225,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kenosha
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 Kenosha
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Kenosha, WI typically start between $175,001 and $253,675 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $236,739 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $281,487 — 13.1% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Wisconsin of $100,000 represents just 57.14% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($175,001/year) in Kenosha. 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 Kenosha
- 1Research the Kenosha market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $175,001 to $253,675, 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 WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Kenosha, 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 Kenosha for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kenosha'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 Kenosha is $236,739 ( 135.28%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $175,001, experienced hygienists can earn up to $411,740.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$136,595
2025 BLS Actual
$166,351
2026 Current Est.
$175,001
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Kenosha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $136,595 | Actual |
| 2020 | $143,549 | Actual |
| 2021 | $141,267 | Actual |
| 2022 | $154,157 | Actual |
| 2023 | $149,989 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,949 | Actual |
| 2025 | $166,351 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $175,001 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $184,101 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Kenosha, WI grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $136,595 in 2019 to $166,351 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $184,101. New graduates entering the Kenosha job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kenosha 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 Kenosha
Employers actively seeking to hire entry-level nurse anesthetists in Kenosha include large hospital systems and academic medical centers, which often provide valuable opportunities to engage in diverse case mixes that enhance clinical skill sets. New graduates may find that participating in formal transition-to-practice programs can prove beneficial for their growth, allowing them to build essential competencies in a supportive environment. Additionally, obtaining crucial credentials like the CRNA license through the state board of nursing and pursuing NBCRNA certification improve earning potential and career advancement. With the expanding influence of nurse anesthetists practicing independently in 19 federal opt-out states, Kenosha's emerging opportunities may also facilitate a gradual increase in salary, particularly if individuals align with the growing CRNA-owned group-practice model, ultimately leading to realistic earnings that reflect their experience and responsibilities over the initial years of practice.
More salary data for Kenosha, WI:
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 Kenosha. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kenosha 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