Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Fort Dodge, IA: $206,533 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Fort Dodge, IA earns a median $206,533/year (≈ $99.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Fort Dodge's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $228,466 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Dodge, Iowa, the projected median annual salary for nurse anesthetists in 2026 is $206,533, positioning local professionals notably below the national median of $248,893. The salary range reflects significant variability in compensation, from $145,289 at the 10th percentile to $274,161 at the 90th percentile, indicating that lifestyle choices and call coverage commitments can significantly impact earnings. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, showcasing the economic realities and job opportunities in a smaller metropolitan area. Given the modest number of nurse anesthetists employed—four individuals in total—Fort Dodge presents a unique market where demand and flexibility can also dictate compensation structures.
About the Fort Dodge Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($216,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $145,289 | $69.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $185,513 | $89.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $206,533 | $99.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $252,116 | $121.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $274,161 | $131.81 |
Median Salary Position
17.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Dodge
In Fort Dodge, IA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,872 (2026 est.). At $206,533, the local median is 17.02% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Dodge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Dodge Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Fort Dodge median: $206,533/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Dodge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $224,981 | -8.20% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -17.02% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Fort Dodge, IA earn a median of $206,533 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.02% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 8.20% below the Iowa state average of $224,981.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Dodge 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.
Fort Dodge, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $206,533 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $228,466 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$145,042
2025 BLS Actual
$196,324
2026 Current Est.
$206,533
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Fort Dodge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $145,042 | Actual |
| 2020 | $152,336 | Actual |
| 2021 | $162,319 | Actual |
| 2022 | $168,525 | Actual |
| 2023 | $176,458 | Actual |
| 2024 | $179,238 | Actual |
| 2025 | $196,324 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $206,533 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $217,273 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Dodge metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $145,042 (2019) to $196,324 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $217,273 by 2027 — a total increase of $72,231 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Dodge 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) | $145,289 – $185,513 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $185,513 – $206,533 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $206,533 – $252,116 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $252,116 – $274,161 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Fort Dodge
Examining the Fort Dodge market reveals several factors that contribute to the nurse anesthetist pay dynamic. With a cost-of-living index at 90.4, employees may find their take-home purchasing power slightly augmented compared to larger metropolitan areas, despite the lower salary averages. Employers such as local hospital systems and CRNA-owned anesthesia practices tend to offer competitive pay, with potential benefits associated with more favorable call rotation or flexible hours. Compensation discrepancies may arise from variations in call coverage—ranging from 1-in-8 to 1-in-5—along with additional incentives for handling weekends, holidays, or high-demand cases. Those looking to optimize their earnings should consider seeking positions with robust mentorship programs and profit-sharing agreements found within some group practices, as well as exploring locum tenens opportunities which may offer alternative pay structures.
More salary data for Fort Dodge, 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 $196,324 for nurse anesthetistsin the Fort Dodge 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 Dodge 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