Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Waukee, IA: $215,263 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Waukee, IA earns a median $215,263/year (≈ $103.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Waukee's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $238,123 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Earning $215,263 annually, nurse anesthetists in Waukee, IA, can expect a significant difference in compensation depending on various factors. The salary range stretches from $147,531 at the 10th percentile to $282,739 at the 90th percentile. These figures, gathered from estimates based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect localized economic conditions, particularly the cost of living index in Waukee, which stands below the national average. Such a pay scale highlights the trade-offs in call coverage and lifestyle that professionals face here, influencing their choice of employment among local healthcare institutions.
About the Waukee Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($216,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $147,531 | $70.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $191,032 | $91.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $215,263 | $103.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $255,861 | $123.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $282,739 | $135.93 |
Median Salary Position
13.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukee
In Waukee, IA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $135,208 (2026 est.). At $215,263, the local median is 13.51% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukee: You'd be above the median
How Waukee Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Waukee median: $215,263/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $224,936 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -13.51% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Waukee, IA earn a median of $215,263 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.51% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 4.30% below the Iowa state average of $224,936.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukee 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.
Waukee, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $215,263 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $238,123 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$151,173
2025 BLS Actual
$204,623
2026 Current Est.
$215,263
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Waukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $151,173 | Actual |
| 2020 | $158,775 | Actual |
| 2021 | $169,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $175,649 | Actual |
| 2023 | $183,918 | Actual |
| 2024 | $186,815 | Actual |
| 2025 | $204,623 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $215,263 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $226,457 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukee metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $151,173 (2019) to $204,623 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $226,457 by 2027 — a total increase of $75,284 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukee 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) | $147,531 – $191,032 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $191,032 – $215,263 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $215,263 – $255,861 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $255,861 – $282,739 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Waukee
Employing only four nurse anesthetists, Waukee's healthcare market demonstrates a niche demand despite its compact size, suggesting limited competition but also limited opportunities. With a cost of living index of 90.4, those practicing in Waukee enjoy a relatively lower expense landscape, enhancing their overall purchasing power. Higher-paying opportunities may arise in local hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and CRNA-owned practices, where pay structure, including bonuses and profit distributions, can substantially increase earnings. Factors such as call schedules, OR efficiency, and partnership options further contribute to the range in salaries. For nurse anesthetists keen on maximizing pay in Waukee, opting for positions with favorable call rotation and additional shifts can prove beneficial.
More salary data for Waukee, 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 $204,623 for nurse anesthetistsin the Waukee 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 Waukee 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