Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Ames, IA: $223,898 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Ames, IA earns a median $223,898/year (≈ $107.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Ames's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $247,675 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for nurse anesthetists in Ames, Iowa, is $223,898. This figure positions the local compensation about 10.04% below the national median of $248,893. Nurse anesthetists in Ames can expect salaries ranging from $140,631 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $329,581 at the upper end (P90). These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data, reflecting adjustments based on regional price parities. Given that Iowa operates under the Anesthesia Care Team model, the pay dynamics can be significantly influenced by local healthcare structures and the extent of supervision required.
About the Ames Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($216,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $140,631 | $67.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $189,245 | $90.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $223,898 | $107.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $284,524 | $136.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $329,581 | $158.45 |
Median Salary Position
10.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ames
In Ames, IA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $188,950 (2026 est.). At $223,898, the local median is 10.04% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ames: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ames Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Ames median: $223,898/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ames Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $225,023 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -10.04% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Ames, IA earn a median of $223,898 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.04% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 0.50% below the Iowa state average of $225,023.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ames has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ames, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $223,898 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $247,675 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$157,237
2025 BLS Actual
$212,831
2026 Current Est.
$223,898
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $157,237 | Actual |
| 2020 | $165,144 | Actual |
| 2021 | $175,966 | Actual |
| 2022 | $182,695 | Actual |
| 2023 | $191,295 | Actual |
| 2024 | $194,309 | Actual |
| 2025 | $212,831 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $223,898 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $235,541 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ames metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $157,237 (2019) to $212,831 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $235,541 by 2027 — a total increase of $78,304 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ames 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) | $140,631 – $189,245 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $189,245 – $223,898 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $223,898 – $284,524 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $284,524 – $329,581 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Ames
With only 12 nurse anesthetists employed locally, job opportunities in Ames may be limited but can vary in pay based on employer type, such as hospital systems or ambulatory surgery centers. The cost of living index in the area is 90.4, suggesting a more favorable economic environment for practitioners compared to the national average. High-paying positions are often found within larger hospital systems or CRNA-owned anesthesia groups, where income potential may be maximized through profit-sharing arrangements and productivity bonuses. Factors that contribute to a wide salary range in Ames include call coverage requirements, weekend differentials, and the tax structuring associated with 1099 versus W-2 employment. Aspiring nurse anesthetists should consider strategies to enhance earnings, including seeking out high-volume centers or group practices that offer partnership tracks and advanced care opportunities.
More salary data for Ames, IA:
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 $212,831 for nurse anesthetistsin the Ames 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 Ames 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