Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Denver, CO: $109.60 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Denver, CO runs $109.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $227,968 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Denver's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.8, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $103.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $136,778 per year.

$227,968
Median Annual Salary
$109.60/hr
Hourly Rate
$191,632
Entry Level (P10)
$246,263
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Rate in Denver, CO — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Denver, CO nurse anesthetist hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay in Denver, Colorado, is projected to reach a median of $109.60, slightly below the national median of $119.66. This figure offers insight into the earnings potential for practitioners in various settings, from hospital operating rooms to outpatient surgical centers. The lower end of the hourly range starts at $92.13, catering to entry-level professionals, while seasoned CRNAs can earn up to $118.40 hourly at the higher end. This official BLS data illustrates how the nurse anesthetist hourly rate in Colorado reflects the state’s overall cost of living and demand for skilled anesthesia providers within diverse medical environments.

Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$92.13$737.07
Lower Range (P25)$108.46$867.69
Median (P50)$109.60$876.78
Upper Range (P75)$109.91$879.30
Top Earners (P90)$118.40$947.22

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Denver

Based on $109.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a nurse anesthetist in Denver earning $109.60/hr would make approximately $131,517 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $227,963 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$131,517Reduced (32 hr/wk)$175,356Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$227,963

At $109.60/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Denver, CO can expect to earn approximately $227,963 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $131,517. With a cost-of-living index of 105.78 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Denver.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$876.78
per 8hr shift
$4,383.89
per week
$18,997
per month
$227,963
per year

Schedule Comparison in Denver

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$4,383.89$18,997$227,963
Part-Time (24 hrs)$2,630.34$11,398$136,778
Per Diem (16 hrs)$1,753.56$7,599$91,185

Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Nurse Anesthetist (Denver)$109.60
Nurse Practitioner (National Avg)$60.12
Physician Assistant (National Avg)$60.58
Nurse Midwife (National Avg)$63.01
Anesthesiologist (National Avg)$174.04
Horizontal bar chart comparing nurse anesthetist median salary in Denver ($227,968) with Colorado average ($261,432) and the US national median ($248,893).Denver$227,968Colorado Avg$261,432-12.80%US National$248,893-8.41%

Nurse Anesthetists in Denver, CO earn a median of $227,968 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.41% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 12.80% below the Colorado state average of $261,432.

Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $109.60/hr = $136,778/year (purchasing power: $129,301).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $227,963/year (purchasing power: $215,502).

CoL index: 105.782 (100 = national average).

2019 BLS Actual

$88.85/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$104.18/hr

2026 Current Est.

$109.60/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+29.8%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Denver (20192027)

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

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for nurse anesthetists in Denver. Baseline $88.85/hr in 2025, projected to $115.30/hr by 2027.$72$85$97$110$1232019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$88.85$88.54$79.24$82.03$95.72$99.58$104.18$109.60$115.30
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$88.85/hrActual
2020$88.54/hrActual
2021$79.24/hrActual
2022$82.03/hrActual
2023$95.72/hrActual
2024$99.58/hrActual
2025$104.18/hrActual
2026(current)$109.60/hrEstimated
2027$115.30/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Denver grew 17.3% from $88.85/hr (2019) to $104.18/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $115.30/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse anesthetists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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.

Working as an Hourly Nurse Anesthetist in Denver

Examining the part-time earning potential, a nurse anesthetist working three days a week—totaling approximately 24 hours—could expect an annual income significantly below that of their full-time counterparts, depending on their specific pay arrangements. In addition to regular roles, many CRNAs engage in per diem opportunities, often charging between $200 and $350 per hour, especially in premium markets, while full-week assignments can command daily rates of $1,500 to $2,500. Hourly compensation can differ based on the employer type, whether in hospital systems, ambulatory surgery settings, or CRNA-owned practices. Some nurse anesthetists may opt for lower hourly rates with employee benefits, while others prioritize higher pay without insurance. It’s advisable for professionals in Denver to negotiate terms that reflect local market rates and consider the full compensation package when assessing job offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Denver in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Denver is $109.60/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.20% annual growth). Rates range from $92.13 at entry level (10th percentile) to $118.40 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 8.4% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time nurse anesthetists make in Denver?

A part-time nurse anesthetist working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Denver earns approximately $11,398/month, or $136,778/year at the median hourly rate of $109.60. Many nurse anesthetists prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are nurse anesthetists in Denver paid hourly or salary?

The majority of nurse anesthetists in Denver are paid hourly at a median rate of $109.60/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $227,963/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time nurse anesthetist make per year in Denver?

A full-time nurse anesthetist working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Denver earns approximately $227,963/year at the median hourly rate of $109.60. This is 8.4% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $246,277/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do nurse anesthetists earn more per hour working part-time in Denver?

Part-time and per diem nurse anesthetists in Denver sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $118.40/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Colorado

AJ

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

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 Denver. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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

Last verified: