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 93.4 — 7% 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.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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
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 Superior
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 $271,572 — 9.11% above the national median.
Return on Investment
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $148,195 | Actual |
| 2020 | $155,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $153,264 | Actual |
| 2022 | $167,249 | Actual |
| 2023 | $162,727 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,999 | Actual |
| 2025 | $180,478 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $189,863 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $199,736 | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Superior 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 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.
More salary data for Superior, 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 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).
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