Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Des Moines, IA: $250,029 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Des Moines, IA earns a median $250,029/year (≈ $120.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.7), that paycheck buys what $272,657 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.1% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Des Moines, IA, the nurse anesthetist salary in Des Moines is projected to be quite robust in 2026, with estimates indicating a median annual income of $250,029. This figure positions local compensation slightly above the national median of $248,893, highlighting the appeal of practicing in this region. Nurse anesthetists can expect a salary range that spans from $237,500 at the lower tenth percentile to as high as $337,724 at the top percentile, according to projections derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data. As Des Moines continues to embrace the critical role of nurse anesthetists in the healthcare system, this compensation structure reflects both the demand for skilled practitioners and the cost of living advantages in the area, creating an appealing environment for nurse anesthetists seeking competitive pay.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $237,500 | $114.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $237,500 | $114.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $250,029 | $120.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $295,728 | $142.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $337,724 | $162.37 |
Median Salary Position
0.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, IA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,224 (2026 est.). At $250,029, the local median is 0.46% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Des Moines Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $250,029/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $225,048 | +11.10% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +0.46% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $250,029 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.46% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 11.10% above the Iowa state average of $225,048.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 8.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.701 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $250,029 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $272,657 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$190,210
2025 BLS Actual
$237,670
2026 Current Est.
$250,029
2019–2027 Growth
+38.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $190,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $198,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $196,503 | Actual |
| 2022 | $206,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $209,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $232,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $237,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $250,029 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $263,030 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 25.0% from $190,210 (2019) to $237,670 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $263,030 by 2027 — a total increase of $72,820 (38.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $237,500 – $237,500 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $237,500 – $250,029 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $250,029 – $295,728 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $295,728 – $337,724 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Des Moines
Looking at the local job market, Des Moines currently employs around 80 nurse anesthetists, providing a stable employment environment for those in the field. The cost-of-living index of 91.701 indicates that living expenses are below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of nurse anesthetists' salaries in Des Moines, IA. Major employers in the area include hospital systems and CRNA-owned anesthesia group practices, both of which often offer substantial compensation packages. Factors contributing to the variation in pay levels include call coverage rotations, weekend and holiday differentials, and the structure of tax arrangements for 1099 versus W-2 positions. To maximize earnings, nurse anesthetists should consider pursuing partnerships at group practices, as well as seeking opportunities that provide additional stipends or bonuses tied to productivity and case complexity. Understanding these local dynamics is crucial for navigating salary negotiations effectively in this market.
More salary data for Des Moines, 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 $237,670 for nurse anesthetistsin the Des Moines 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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