Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $217,286 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $217,286/year (≈ $104.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $240,361 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, IA, nurse anesthetists can expect a median annual salary of $217,286 in 2026, which positions them approximately 12.70% below the national average of $248,893 for the same year. This figure reflects estimates based on 2025 BLS data, tailored to account for regional cost adjustments. The salary range for local nurse anesthetists spans from $142,652 at the 10th percentile to $306,950 at the 90th percentile, indicating a substantial variance in compensation depending on factors like employment structure and practice setting. Choices between working as W-2 hospital employees versus 1099 practitioners in anesthesia groups notably influence total compensation, with each arrangement offering distinct benefits and challenges that shape effective pay determinations in this market.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($216,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $142,652 | $68.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $188,955 | $90.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $217,286 | $104.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $273,139 | $131.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $306,950 | $147.57 |
Median Salary Position
12.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $164,298 (2026 est.). At $217,286, the local median is 12.7% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $217,286/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $224,934 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -12.70% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $217,286 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.70% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $224,934.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs 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.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $217,286 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $240,361 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$152,594
2025 BLS Actual
$206,546
2026 Current Est.
$217,286
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $152,594 | Actual |
| 2020 | $160,268 | Actual |
| 2021 | $170,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $177,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $185,646 | Actual |
| 2024 | $188,571 | Actual |
| 2025 | $206,546 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $217,286 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $228,585 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $152,594 (2019) to $206,546 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $228,585 by 2027 — a total increase of $75,991 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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) | $142,652 – $188,955 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $188,955 – $217,286 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $217,286 – $273,139 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $273,139 – $306,950 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Council Bluffs
Employment opportunities for nurse anesthetists in Council Bluffs are relatively niche, with only 12 professionals currently practicing in the area. Despite this limited number, the cost of living index at 90.4 suggests that the purchasing power from salaries may be more favorable compared to national trends. Among local employers, W-2 positions at hospital systems typically offer competitive compensation, while CRNA-owned group practices and ambulatory surgery centers may provide alternative pathways that impact earnings through partnership structures or flexible arrangements. Factors contributing to the disparity between low and high salaries include call coverage rotations, holiday differentials, and productivity bonuses. For those seeking to maximize their nurse anesthetist pay in Council Bluffs, focusing on securing roles that offer generous stipends or exploring locum tenens opportunities might yield significant financial advantages.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, 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 $206,546 for nurse anesthetistsin the Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs 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