Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Boulder, CO: $126.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Boulder, CO runs $126.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $262,779 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Boulder's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $120.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $157,666 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected nurse anesthetist hourly pay of $126.33 in Boulder, Colorado, professionals in this field benefit from compensation that exceeds the national median hourly rate of $119.66. This robust hourly figure is especially advantageous for those seeking part-time work around three days per week, as it allows for a significant income even on a reduced schedule. In various medical settings, including main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and military facilities, the estimated hourly range spans from $85.30 at entry-level positions to $187.21 for top earners. These figures illustrate the exceptional earning potential for nurse anesthetists in Boulder, highlighting how competitive the pricing of services can be in a city where the cost of living is slightly above the national average.
About the Boulder Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($220,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85.30 | $682.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111.80 | $894.37 |
| Median (P50) | $126.33 | $1010.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160.67 | $1285.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $187.21 | $1497.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Boulder
Based on $126.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $126.33/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Boulder, CO can expect to earn approximately $262,776 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $151,602. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Boulder.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Boulder
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $5,053.39 | $21,898 | $262,776 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $3,032.03 | $13,139 | $157,666 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $2,021.35 | $8,759 | $105,110 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Boulder) | $126.33 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $60.12 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $60.58 |
| Nurse Midwife (National Avg) | $63.01 |
| Anesthesiologist (National Avg) | $174.04 |
Nurse Anesthetists in Boulder, CO earn a median of $262,779 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.58% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 0.60% above the Colorado state average of $261,212.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $126.33/hr = $157,666/year (purchasing power: $150,158).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $262,776/year (purchasing power: $250,263).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$88.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$120.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$126.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Boulder (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $93.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $99.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $103.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $107.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $111.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $120.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Boulder grew 35.4% from $88.72/hr (2019) to $120.09/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $132.90/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse anesthetists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boulder 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.
Working as an Hourly Nurse Anesthetist in Boulder
In terms of annual earnings, a nurse anesthetist working part-time for 24 hours a week would take home approximately $157,203, a substantial income but still lower than that of full-time peers. For those looking at per diem opportunities, locum tenens CRNAs can earn between $200 and $350 per hour or command rates of $1,500 to $2,500 for full-week assignments. Hourly pay can vary significantly throughout Boulder, depending on the type of employer. Hospital systems typically provide W-2 employment with benefits, while anesthesia group practices may offer 1099 arrangements that can yield higher pay but without insurance packages. Practical negotiations for hourly positions often hinge on the balance between higher pay and the security of benefits, urging professionals to carefully evaluate their priorities. This complexity in negotiating rates and assessing the value of benefits impacts choices across the nurse anesthetist community in Boulder, CO.
More salary data for Boulder, CO:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nurse anesthetists in Boulder. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Boulder 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