Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Wheat Ridge, CO: $251,460 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Wheat Ridge, CO earns a median $251,460/year (≈ $120.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Wheat Ridge's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $239,486 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheat Ridge, Colorado, the salary landscape for nurse anesthetists is shaped by a variety of factors, reflecting the complexities of call coverage and lifestyle preferences. With a projected median annual compensation of $251,460 in 2026, the earnings for these professionals range significantly, from $178,091 at the 10th percentile up to $352,607 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from state-level BLS estimates and adjusted for regional cost variations, convey the potential earning disparities influenced by factors such as work commitments and practice settings. As the demand for nurse anesthetists in Wheat Ridge continues to evolve, understanding these figures is vital for those exploring opportunities in this area.
About the Wheat Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($220,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $178,091 | $85.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $227,077 | $109.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $251,460 | $120.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $310,796 | $149.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $352,607 | $169.52 |
Median Salary Position
1.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheat Ridge
In Wheat Ridge, CO, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $174,516 (2026 est.). At $251,460, the local median is 1.03% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheat Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheat Ridge Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Wheat Ridge median: $251,460/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheat Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $261,392 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | +1.03% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Wheat Ridge, CO earn a median of $251,460 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.03% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 3.80% below the Colorado state average of $261,392.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheat Ridge has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wheat Ridge, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $251,460 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $239,486 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$176,593
2025 BLS Actual
$239,030
2026 Current Est.
$251,460
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Wheat Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $176,593 | Actual |
| 2020 | $185,473 | Actual |
| 2021 | $197,627 | Actual |
| 2022 | $205,185 | Actual |
| 2023 | $214,843 | Actual |
| 2024 | $222,268 | Actual |
| 2025 | $239,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $251,460 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $264,535 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheat Ridge metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $176,593 (2019) to $239,030 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $264,535 by 2027 — a total increase of $87,942 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheat Ridge 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) | $178,091 – $227,077 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $227,077 – $251,460 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $251,460 – $310,796 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $310,796 – $352,607 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Wheat Ridge
In terms of the local employment scene, Wheat Ridge currently has only eight nurse anesthetists, which may limit competition but also leads to potential wage discrepancies among practices. With a cost-of-living index sitting at 105, professionals need to consider how far their compensation stretches in terms of purchasing power. Predominantly, hospital systems offer competitive salaries for W-2 employed positions, while ambulatory surgery centers or CRNA-owned private practices provide varying pay structures depending on workload commitments and the level of partnership. For instance, those who endure extensive call shifts or agree to additional weekend duties often secure higher compensation, further widening the pay gap. Strategies for maximizing earnings might include seeking opportunities within trauma centers, considering locum tenens positions for their flexibility and potential bonuses, and evaluating tax implications between 1099 and W-2 employment structures. Understanding the nuances of nurse anesthetist pay in Wheat Ridge, CO, can empower practitioners to make informed decisions about their career trajectories.
More salary data for Wheat Ridge, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Wheat Ridge?
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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 $239,030 for nurse anesthetistsin the Wheat Ridge 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 Wheat Ridge 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