Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Fort Wayne, IN: $235,115 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Fort Wayne, IN earns a median $235,115/year (≈ $113.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Fort Wayne's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $257,519 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Wayne, Indiana, the nurse anesthetist salary is projected to reach a median of $235,115 in 2026, positioning it slightly below the national median of $248,893. This market presents a salary range that spans from $140,415 at the 10th percentile to $346,767 at the 90th percentile, indicating considerable variability. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected for 2026, reflect local economic conditions and cost adjustments, including the area's lower-than-average cost of living index of 91.3. Such monetary dynamics come into play as Fort Wayne continues to adapt within the Anesthesia Care Team model, balancing the need for skilled CRNAs while working within the parameters set by supervising anesthesiologists.
About the Fort Wayne Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($210,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $140,415 | $67.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $193,761 | $93.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $235,115 | $113.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $297,159 | $142.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $346,767 | $166.71 |
Median Salary Position
5.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Wayne
In Fort Wayne, IN, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $206,352 (2026 est.). At $235,115, the local median is 5.54% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Wayne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Wayne Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Fort Wayne median: $235,115/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Wayne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $227,164 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | -5.54% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Fort Wayne, IN earn a median of $235,115 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.54% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 3.50% above the Indiana state average of $227,164.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Wayne has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Wayne, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $235,115 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $257,519 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$165,114
2025 BLS Actual
$223,493
2026 Current Est.
$235,115
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Fort Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $165,114 | Actual |
| 2020 | $173,417 | Actual |
| 2021 | $184,782 | Actual |
| 2022 | $191,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $200,878 | Actual |
| 2024 | $198,375 | Actual |
| 2025 | $223,493 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $235,115 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $247,341 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Wayne metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $165,114 (2019) to $223,493 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $247,341 by 2027 — a total increase of $82,227 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Wayne 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) | $140,415 – $193,761 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $193,761 – $235,115 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $235,115 – $297,159 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $297,159 – $346,767 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Fort Wayne
With 66 nurse anesthetists currently employed in Fort Wayne, the job market remains stable, offering several avenues for maximizing earnings. The relatively low cost of living may enhance the take-home purchasing power for CRNAs in the area despite salaries that trail national averages. Key employers include prominent hospital systems and CRNA-owned anesthesia group practices, which often provide greater opportunities for profit-sharing through partnership tracks. Various factors influence pay disparities, such as call coverage rotations, weekend differentials, and OR productivity bonuses. Understanding these elements is essential for CRNAs aiming to optimize their compensation in this unique market. Whether one chooses a W-2 employed path or a flexible 1099 contractor role, strategic negotiation for benefits and consideration of additional stipends can lead to more favorable financial outcomes.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, IN:
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 $223,493 for nurse anesthetistsin the Fort Wayne 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 Wayne 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