Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Superior, WI: $189,863 (2026)

Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Superior, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $189,863 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Superior's local price level (BEA RPP 93.47% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $203,279 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($271,572) within a few years of clinical practice.

$189,863
Starting Salary
$91.28/hr
Starting Hourly
$189,863
Entry Level
$271,572
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Nurse Anesthetist Entry Level Salary in Superior, WI — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Superior, WI nurse anesthetist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

For new graduates entering the nurse anesthetist field in Superior, Wisconsin, the starting pay is projected to be around $189,863 in 2026. This initial figure represents the lower end of the salary range and shows a significant gap from the median annual salary of $271,572 for the area. While early-career professionals may understandably commence at this lower level, there is a clear upward trajectory as they gain experience, with salaries expected to rise to approximately $243,413 at the 25th percentile within the first few years. This growth pattern signals that Superior is poised as a favorable job market for new grad nurse anesthetists, particularly given the city's low cost of living index at 93.4 compared to the national average of 100, creating greater real earnings potential.

About the Superior Market

Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($225,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Superior

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$189,863/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$243,413/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$271,572/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$339,736/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Superior

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for nurse anesthetists in Superior. The median salary is $271,572, compared to the national median of $248,893.$170.9K$229.9K$288.9K$347.9K$406.9K$189.9K10th Pctl$243.4K25th Pctl$271.6KMedian$339.7K75th Pctl$387.5K90th PctlUS Median$248.9K

Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Superior, WI typically start between $189,863 and $243,413 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $197,649 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $271,5729.11% above the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of nurse anesthetist pay in the Superior metro area.

Return on Investment

$100,000
Avg WI Program Cost
$189,863
Starting Salary
52.67%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average nursing program cost in Wisconsin of $100,000 represents just 52.67% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($189,863/year) in Superior. 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 Superior

  • 1Research the Superior market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $189,863 to $243,413, 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 Superior, 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 Superior for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Superior'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 Superior is $197,649 ( 104.10%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $189,863, experienced hygienists can earn up to $387,512.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$148,195

2025 BLS Actual

$180,478

2026 Current Est.

$189,863

2019–2027 Growth

+34.8%

Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Superior (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for nurse anesthetists in Superior. Baseline $148,195 in 2025, projected to $199,736 by 2027.$118.5K$142.2K$165.9K$189.6K$213.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$148.2K$155.7K$153.3K$167.2K$162.7K$132.0K$180.5K$189.9K$199.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$148,195Actual
2020$155,740Actual
2021$153,264Actual
2022$167,249Actual
2023$162,727Actual
2024$131,999Actual
2025$180,478Actual
2026(current)$189,863Estimated
2027$199,736Projected

Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Superior, WI grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $148,195 in 2019 to $180,478 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $199,736. New graduates entering the Superior job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Superior metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Superior

Employment opportunities for entry-level nurse anesthetists in Superior are often found in large hospital systems and outpatient surgery centers. These institutions are known to provide structured transition-to-practice programs for newly minted CRNAs, allowing them exposure to diverse cases and enhancing their clinical skills. Obtaining a CRNA license through the state board of nursing and NBCRNA certification will significantly facilitate initial employment options and could also lead to increased starting pay in Wisconsin. Furthermore, early-career CRNAs can advantageously pursue fellowships in subspecialties, bolstering their credentials. In Superior, new nurse anesthetists practicing in this model will likely experience salary growth over their first three years as they progressively build expertise and advance towards autonomous practice, especially in states where independent CRNA practice is supported, expanding their potential earnings within the field.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for nurse anesthetists in Superior in 2026?

Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Superior start at approximately $189,863/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.20% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $91.28/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do nurse anesthetist salaries grow in Superior?

Most nurse anesthetists in Superior progress from the entry-level salary of $189,863 to the area median of $271,572 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $387,512 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is nursing school worth it in Superior?

With a starting salary of $189,863/year in Superior and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new nurse anesthetists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new nurse anesthetists make right out of school in Superior?

New nursing graduates in Superior typically start near the 10th percentile at $189,863/year, or approximately $91.28/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a nurse anesthetist in Wisconsin?

To become a licensed nurse anesthetist in Wisconsin, you typically need master's degree in nurse anesthesia., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Wisconsin, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some nurse anesthetists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Wisconsin

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Lee, DNP, CRNAData verified by Fatima Ahmad, MSN, CRNA

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 Superior. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Superior is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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