Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Fort Collins, CO: $258,936 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Fort Collins, CO earns a median $258,936/year (≈ $124.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Fort Collins's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $246,606 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Collins, Colorado, nurse anesthetists experience a remarkable upward trajectory in compensation, with a projected median annual salary of $258,936 for 2026. This substantial figure reflects a competitive local job market, with salaries ranging from $169,945 at the lower end (P10) to $376,018 for top earners (P90). The effective compensation can vary significantly depending on whether one is employed through a W-2 structure in a hospital setting or operates as an independent contractor (1099) within group practices. These structural choices directly influence both annual income and work-life balance, offering high-income potential for those aligned with profitable practices or specialized care sectors. Fort Collins's appeal as a growing metropolitan area adds to the competitive job market for nurse anesthetists.
About the Fort Collins Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($220,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $169,945 | $81.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $219,042 | $105.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $258,936 | $124.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $324,742 | $156.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $376,018 | $180.78 |
Median Salary Position
4.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Collins
In Fort Collins, CO, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $206,073 (2026 est.). At $258,936, the local median is 4.04% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Collins: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Collins Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Fort Collins median: $258,936/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Collins Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $261,288 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | +4.04% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $258,936 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.04% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 0.90% below the Colorado state average of $261,288.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Collins has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Collins, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $258,936 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $246,606 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$181,843
2025 BLS Actual
$246,137
2026 Current Est.
$258,936
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $181,843 | Actual |
| 2020 | $190,988 | Actual |
| 2021 | $203,503 | Actual |
| 2022 | $211,285 | Actual |
| 2023 | $230,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $228,877 | Actual |
| 2025 | $246,137 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $258,936 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $272,401 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Collins metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $181,843 (2019) to $246,137 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $272,401 by 2027 — a total increase of $90,558 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins 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) | $169,945 – $219,042 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $219,042 – $258,936 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $258,936 – $324,742 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $324,742 – $376,018 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Fort Collins
The local job market in Fort Collins comprises 44 nurse anesthetists, highlighting a manageable yet engaged workforce. With a cost of living index of 105, which is slightly above the national average, the purchasing power of take-home pay becomes a crucial factor for CRNAs assessing career opportunities in the area. Among local employers, hospital systems and CRNA-owned practices often yield the highest salaries, with added financial benefits derived from call coverage rotations and productivity bonuses. Variability in pay is attributed to the nature of contracts, including differences in tax treatment between W-2 and 1099 arrangements, as well as the additional compensation offered for weekend shifts and holiday work. For those aiming to maximize their nurse anesthetist pay in Fort Collins, seeking roles in higher-paying institutions, considering partnership opportunities in CRNA practices, and understanding negotiation tactics related to on-call and overtime shifts can prove advantageous.
More salary data for Fort Collins, 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 $246,137 for nurse anesthetistsin the Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins 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