Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Ames, IA: $107.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Ames, IA runs $107.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $223,898 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Ames's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $119.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $134,336 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ames, Iowa, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay is projected to reach $107.64 in 2026, marking a rate that is approximately 10.04% lower than the national median of $119.66/hr. This competitive hourly rate can significantly benefit those preferring part-time work, as a nurse anesthetist working three days a week may expect to earn approximately $84,000 annually, illustrating the feasibility of maintaining work-life balance while still drawing a respectable income. The hourly pay range for nurse anesthetists in Ames varies widely, with entry-level professionals earning about $67.61/hr, while top earners in the field can make as much as $158.45/hr. These figures help paint a picture of the financial landscape for CRNAs in various settings such as operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and military treatment facilities.
About the Ames Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($216,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67.61 | $540.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90.99 | $727.90 |
| Median (P50) | $107.64 | $861.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136.79 | $1094.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158.45 | $1267.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ames
Based on $107.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $107.64/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ames, IA can expect to earn approximately $223,893 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $129,169. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ames.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ames
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $4,305.63 | $18,658 | $223,893 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,583.38 | $11,195 | $134,336 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,722.25 | $7,463 | $89,557 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Ames) | $107.64 |
| 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 Ames, IA earn a median of $223,898 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.04% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 0.50% below the Iowa state average of $225,023.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $107.64/hr = $134,336/year (purchasing power: $148,601).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $223,893/year (purchasing power: $247,669).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$75.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$102.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$107.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $79.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $84.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $87.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $91.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $93.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $102.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Ames grew 35.4% from $75.59/hr (2019) to $102.32/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $113.24/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 Ames 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 Ames
For part-time nurse anesthetists, working a schedule of 24 hours a week can yield significant differences compared to full-time employment, creating a compelling case for nurses considering flexibility in their careers. Per diem arrangements further amplify earning potential; often seen in markets outside Ames where locum tenens CRNAs can bill between $200 and $350/hr, those willing to travel may find themselves in high-demand roles that cover travel and lodging expenses. In Ames, compensation may vary considerably across different employer types—from larger hospital systems offering stable W-2 employment to CRNA-owned practices that open pathways for partnership. This variability invites nurse anesthetists to weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits or stable roles with health insurance. Negotiating hourly pay often hinges on understanding these diverse employer expectations and being prepared to discuss commitment levels, necessary benefits, and current industry standards.
More salary data for Ames, IA:
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 Ames. 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 Ames 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