Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Iowa City, IA: $224,094 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Iowa City, IA earns a median $224,094/year (≈ $107.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Iowa City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $247,892 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected nurse anesthetist salary in Iowa City is $224,094, which reveals a competitive edge within the region but falls below the national median of $248,893. The salary range for nurse anesthetists in this area spans from $140,152 at the P10 level to $316,029 at the P90, showcasing a diverse spectrum of compensation that reflects various employment structures. Those opting for employment through W-2 hospital positions generally benefit from stable salaries, while CRNAs in 1099 group practices may see higher income potential due to flexible arrangements. As Iowa City continues to develop as a healthcare hub, opportunities are expected to expand, positioning nurse anesthetists for diverse roles that influence their overall income.
About the Iowa City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($216,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $140,152 | $67.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $189,647 | $91.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $224,094 | $107.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $276,469 | $132.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $316,029 | $151.94 |
Median Salary Position
9.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Iowa City
In Iowa City, IA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $175,877 (2026 est.). At $224,094, the local median is 9.96% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Iowa City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Iowa City Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Iowa City median: $224,094/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Iowa City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $224,994 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -9.96% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $224,094 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.96% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 0.40% below the Iowa state average of $224,994.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Iowa City 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.
Iowa City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $224,094 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $247,892 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$157,375
2025 BLS Actual
$213,017
2026 Current Est.
$224,094
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $157,375 | Actual |
| 2020 | $165,289 | Actual |
| 2021 | $176,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $182,855 | Actual |
| 2023 | $191,462 | Actual |
| 2024 | $194,479 | Actual |
| 2025 | $213,017 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $224,094 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $235,747 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa City metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $157,375 (2019) to $213,017 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $235,747 by 2027 — a total increase of $78,372 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa City 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) | $140,152 – $189,647 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $189,647 – $224,094 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $224,094 – $276,469 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $276,469 – $316,029 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Iowa City
A closer examination of the local job market reveals that only 14 nurse anesthetists are currently employed in Iowa City, making it a relatively small yet specific employment landscape. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, take-home purchasing power can be favorable for CRNAs, who often find that their compensation stretches further relative to national averages. Among local employers, hospital systems typically offer the most competitive salaries, while ambulatory surgery centers and CRNA-owned practices present alternative pathways that can lead to significant earnings through profit-sharing and productivity bonuses. Factors contributing to the disparity between lower and higher salaries include variations in call coverage rotations, weekend and holiday differentials, and stipends for those in trauma centers. For nurse anesthetists looking to maximize their pay in Iowa City, exploring W-2 positions in hospitals or partnership tracks in group practices while negotiating for additional incentives can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Iowa City, 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 $213,017 for nurse anesthetistsin the Iowa City 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 Iowa City 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