Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Denver, CO: $227,968 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Denver, CO earns a median $227,968/year (≈ $109.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $215,507 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.8% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Denver, Colorado, nurse anesthetists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $227,968, as projected for 2026. The salary distribution reflects variability in compensation, with a range extending from $191,632 at the 10th percentile to $246,263 at the 90th percentile. This varies by practice structure: W-2 hospital employment often provides a stable pay track, while 1099 group-practice models may yield higher earnings through profit-sharing strategies. Such differences illustrate the multifaceted nature of nurse anesthetist pay in Denver CO, shaped by local demand and the structural choices of health care delivery in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $191,632 | $92.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $225,601 | $108.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $227,968 | $109.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $228,621 | $109.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $246,263 | $118.40 |
Median Salary Position
8.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,631 (2026 est.). At $227,968, the local median is 8.41% below the national median of $248,893.
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At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be above the median
How Denver Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Denver median: $227,968/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $261,432 | -12.80% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -8.41% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $227,968 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $215,507 — a 5.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$184,810
2025 BLS Actual
$216,700
2026 Current Est.
$227,968
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $184,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $184,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $164,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $170,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $199,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $207,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $216,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $227,968 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $239,823 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 17.3% from $184,810 (2019) to $216,700 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $239,823 by 2027 — a total increase of $55,013 (29.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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) | $191,632 – $225,601 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $225,601 – $227,968 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $227,968 – $228,621 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $228,621 – $246,263 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Denver
Looking ahead, the nurse anesthetist job market in Denver shows promise with around 200 professionals currently employed, supporting an annual growth rate of 5.20%. Despite a rising cost-of-living index of 105.782, which elevates the local financial landscape, job seekers and current practitioners can enhance their take-home income through strategic employment choices. Major employers, such as hospital systems and ambulatory surgery centers, typically offer W-2 positions, while CRNA-owned practices and locum tenens agencies might opt for 1099 arrangements. Variations in compensation stem from factors like call coverage requirements and partnership opportunities within group practices. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for maximizing nurse anesthetist pay in Denver; therefore, actively seeking positions that align with personal career goals and financial aspirations will better position professionals in this evolving market.
More salary data for Denver, 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 $216,700 for nurse anesthetistsin the Denver 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
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