Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Thornton, CO: $265,440 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Thornton, CO earns a median $265,440/year (≈ $127.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Thornton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $252,800 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nurse anesthetists in Thornton, Colorado, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $265,440, which reflects a notable 6.65% increase over the national median of $248,893. The salary range for this role varies significantly, spanning from $163,654 at the 10th percentile to as high as $398,112 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, illustrate how the choice between hospital employment (W-2 structure) versus group practices (often 1099) can dramatically impact compensation. In Thornton's evolving healthcare market, understanding these dynamics will play a critical role in career longevity and satisfaction for CRNAs, especially as the demand for anesthetists continues to grow.
About the Thornton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($220,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $163,654 | $78.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $222,298 | $106.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $265,440 | $127.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $339,762 | $163.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $398,112 | $191.40 |
Median Salary Position
6.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Thornton
In Thornton, CO, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $234,458 (2026 est.). At $265,440, the local median is 6.65% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Thornton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Thornton Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Thornton median: $265,440/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Thornton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $261,259 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +6.65% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Thornton, CO earn a median of $265,440 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.65% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 1.60% above the Colorado state average of $261,259.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Thornton has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Thornton, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $265,440 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $252,800 — a 4.76% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$186,410
2025 BLS Actual
$252,319
2026 Current Est.
$265,440
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Thornton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $186,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $195,785 | Actual |
| 2021 | $208,615 | Actual |
| 2022 | $216,592 | Actual |
| 2023 | $226,787 | Actual |
| 2024 | $234,626 | Actual |
| 2025 | $252,319 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $265,440 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $279,242 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Thornton metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $186,410 (2019) to $252,319 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $279,242 by 2027 — a total increase of $92,832 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Thornton 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) | $163,654 – $222,298 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $222,298 – $265,440 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $265,440 – $339,762 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $339,762 – $398,112 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Thornton
With 34 nurse anesthetists currently practicing in Thornton, the local job market remains stable, yet competitive. The cost of living index at 105 suggests that while salaries are solid, the higher expenses may affect take-home pay. Prominent employers in the region include local hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and CRNA-owned group practices, each offering unique pay structures. The variance in compensation often stems from factors such as call coverage rotations, weekend and holiday differentiations, and performance bonuses linked to operational efficiency. To maximize their potential earnings, nurse anesthetists should consider leveraging partnerships in group practices or exploring locum tenens opportunities that might provide a higher earning potential, especially if they possess specialized skills that are in short supply within the Thornton CO market.
More salary data for Thornton, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Thornton, CO in 2026?
Is Thornton, CO a good place to work as a nurse anesthetist?
Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Thornton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nurse anesthetist salary in Thornton?
How much does a nurse anesthetist make per hour in Thornton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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 $252,319 for nurse anesthetistsin the Thornton 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 Thornton 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