Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Boulder, CO: $262,779 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Boulder, CO earns a median $262,779/year (≈ $126.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Boulder's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $250,266 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Boulder, Colorado, the 2026 median annual salary for nurse anesthetists is projected to be $262,779, which represents a 5.58% increase compared to the national median of $248,893. With a robust salary range from $177,413 at the P10 to $389,404 at the P90, health care professionals considering this role can find lucrative opportunities despite the city’s cost-of-living index at 105, which is slightly above the national average. The choice between W-2 hospital employment versus 1099 work in group practices greatly influences compensation outcomes, as hospitals may offer more stable salaries and benefits, whereas group practices can provide higher earnings potential through profit-sharing and more flexible work arrangements. Understanding the structural nuances of Boulder’s healthcare system is essential for optimizing earnings potential.
About the Boulder Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($220,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $177,413 | $85.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $232,534 | $111.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $262,779 | $126.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $334,198 | $160.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $389,404 | $187.21 |
Median Salary Position
5.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boulder
In Boulder, CO, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $211,991 (2026 est.). At $262,779, the local median is 5.58% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boulder: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Boulder Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Boulder median: $262,779/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boulder Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $261,212 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +5.58% more |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boulder has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boulder, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $262,779 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $250,266 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$184,542
2025 BLS Actual
$249,790
2026 Current Est.
$262,779
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Boulder (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $184,542 | Actual |
| 2020 | $193,822 | Actual |
| 2021 | $206,524 | Actual |
| 2022 | $214,421 | Actual |
| 2023 | $224,514 | Actual |
| 2024 | $232,274 | Actual |
| 2025 | $249,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $262,779 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $276,444 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boulder metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $184,542 (2019) to $249,790 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $276,444 by 2027 — a total increase of $91,902 (49.80%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $177,413 – $232,534 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $232,534 – $262,779 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $262,779 – $334,198 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $334,198 – $389,404 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Boulder
The local job market for nurse anesthetists in Boulder consists of only 21 employed practitioners, which indicates a tight labor pool that may favor competitive compensation practices. Consequently, negotiations can play a significant role in securing favorable salaries and working conditions. The higher cost of living can affect take-home pay, and positioning in higher-paying settings like ambulatory surgery centers or CRNA-owned practices can provide an advantage. Variations in salaries can also stem from differences in call coverage requirements, such as 1-in-8 versus 1-in-5 rotations, the presence of additional stipends for trauma centers, and the distinct financial structures between W-2 and 1099 roles. For those aiming to maximize their compensation in Boulder, aligning with employers that offer bonuses based on efficiency and partnership opportunities within group practices can be particularly beneficial. Understanding these market dynamics is key to effectively negotiating a favorable nurse anesthetist pay 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $249,790 for nurse anesthetistsin the Boulder metropolitan area. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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