Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Wausau, WI: $225,296 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Wausau, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $225,296 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wausau's local price level (BEA RPP 92.7 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $243,166 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($283,819) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the nurse anesthetist field in Wausau, Wisconsin, can anticipate an entry level nurse anesthetist salary around $225,296. This figure represents a significant starting point, although it is below the city’s median annual salary of $283,819. Early-career practitioners can expect a progressive salary trajectory over the first few years; as they gain experience and further develop their skills, they could reach the 25th percentile salary of $283,756 in a relatively short time. Given the favorable growth projections of 5.20% annually within this specialty, Wausau remains a viable market for new grads seeking opportunities in this medical field.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wausau
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 Wausau
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Wausau, WI typically start between $225,296 and $283,756 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $112,007 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $283,819 — 14.03% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Wisconsin of $100,000 represents just 44.39% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($225,296/year) in Wausau. 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 Wausau
- 1Research the Wausau market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $225,296 to $283,756, 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 Wausau, 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 Wausau for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wausau'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 Wausau is $112,007 ( 49.72%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $225,296, experienced hygienists can earn up to $337,303.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$175,853
2025 BLS Actual
$214,160
2026 Current Est.
$225,296
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $175,853 | Actual |
| 2020 | $184,805 | Actual |
| 2021 | $181,867 | Actual |
| 2022 | $206,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $219,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,781 | Actual |
| 2025 | $214,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $225,296 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $237,012 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Wausau, WI grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $175,853 in 2019 to $214,160 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $237,012. New graduates entering the Wausau job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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 Wausau
In Wausau, major employers such as large hospital systems and academic medical centers are the primary avenues for hiring entry-level nurse anesthetists. These institutions often provide structured transition-to-practice programs, which can ease the transition for new graduates and expose them to a broad case mix, including complex cases in cardiac and pediatric anesthesia. Obtaining the CRNA license through the state board of nursing and achieving NBCRNA certification can enhance starting pay, as well as pursuing optional fellowships in specialized areas like cardiac or pain anesthesia, or advanced degrees such as the DNP. With CRNAs practicing independently in 19 federal opt-out states and many working under the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) model, new graduates should set realistic salary growth expectations, potentially progressing quickly in their first three years in this expanding field.
More salary data for Wausau, 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 Wausau. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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