Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Waterloo, IA: $218,980 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Waterloo, IA earns a median $218,980/year (≈ $105.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Waterloo's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $242,235 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Waterloo, IA, is projected to be $218,980, which places it below the national median of $248,893. The pay range in this market reflects significant variability, with estimates spanning from a lower percentile at $147,324 to a higher percentile at $312,671. These salary figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected for 2026 with adjustments for regional price parities. Given the differences in pay, professionals may find that the financial landscape is influenced by the opt-out versus anesthesia care team (ACT) models prevalent in the region, impacting their compensation strategy based on employment settings and responsibilities.
About the Waterloo Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($216,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $147,324 | $70.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $192,426 | $92.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $218,980 | $105.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $272,472 | $131.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $312,671 | $150.32 |
Median Salary Position
12.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterloo
In Waterloo, IA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $165,347 (2026 est.). At $218,980, the local median is 12.02% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waterloo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waterloo Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Waterloo median: $218,980/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterloo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $225,057 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -12.02% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Waterloo, IA earn a median of $218,980 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.02% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 2.70% below the Iowa state average of $225,057.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterloo 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.
Waterloo, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $218,980 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $242,235 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$153,783
2025 BLS Actual
$208,156
2026 Current Est.
$218,980
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Waterloo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $153,783 | Actual |
| 2020 | $161,517 | Actual |
| 2021 | $172,101 | Actual |
| 2022 | $178,682 | Actual |
| 2023 | $187,093 | Actual |
| 2024 | $221,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $208,156 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $218,980 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $230,367 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterloo metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $153,783 (2019) to $208,156 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $230,367 by 2027 — a total increase of $76,584 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterloo 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) | $147,324 – $192,426 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $192,426 – $218,980 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $218,980 – $272,472 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $272,472 – $312,671 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Waterloo
Currently, there are nine nurse anesthetists working in Waterloo, where the cost-of-living index is measured at 90.4, suggesting a slightly lower expense compared to national averages. This environment allows for better take-home pay and purchasing power despite lower salary figures. Among potential employers, those affiliated with local hospital systems tend to offer some of the highest wages due to their need for consistent staffing. Pay variability stems from factors such as the call coverage rotation schedules, which can range from a balanced one-in-five to a more demanding one-in-eight, and financial incentives related to weekend or holiday shifts. To maximize income, nurse anesthetists should consider alignment with CRNA-owned practices that may offer profit-sharing opportunities and productivity bonuses, as well as evaluating their options in locum tenens work for potentially higher yield positions.
More salary data for Waterloo, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Waterloo, IA in 2026?
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Waterloo?
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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 $208,156 for nurse anesthetistsin the Waterloo 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 Waterloo 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