Nurse Anesthetist Salary in West Des Moines, IA: $246,798 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in West Des Moines, IA earns a median $246,798/year (≈ $118.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in West Des Moines's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $273,007 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.7% above the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in West Des Moines, Iowa, is projected to reach a median of $246,798, slightly below the national median of $248,893. The salary range for nurse anesthetists in this area spans from $167,619 at the 10th percentile to $353,734 at the 90th percentile. These figures take into account local estimates based on 2025 BLS data projected for the following year, indicating some regional compensation adjustments in line with cost-of-living metrics. Factors such as call coverage commitments, which can vary significantly among employers, influence the salary spread, reflecting the trade-offs potential CRNAs face when assessing work-life balance versus financial reward in the field.
About the West Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($216,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $167,619 | $80.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $212,652 | $102.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $246,798 | $118.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $308,649 | $148.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $353,734 | $170.07 |
Median Salary Position
0.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Des Moines
In West Des Moines, IA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $186,115 (2026 est.). At $246,798, the local median is 0.84% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How West Des Moines Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
West Des Moines median: $246,798/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $224,976 | +9.70% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | -0.84% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $246,798 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.84% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 9.70% above the Iowa state average of $224,976.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Des Moines 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.
West Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $246,798 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $273,007 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$173,319
2025 BLS Actual
$234,599
2026 Current Est.
$246,798
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in West Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $173,319 | Actual |
| 2020 | $182,035 | Actual |
| 2021 | $193,964 | Actual |
| 2022 | $201,381 | Actual |
| 2023 | $210,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $190,814 | Actual |
| 2025 | $234,599 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $246,798 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $259,632 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Des Moines metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $173,319 (2019) to $234,599 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $259,632 by 2027 — a total increase of $86,313 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West 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) | $167,619 – $212,652 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $212,652 – $246,798 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $246,798 – $308,649 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $308,649 – $353,734 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in West Des Moines
With only 16 nurse anesthetists currently employed in West Des Moines, the market offers distinctive opportunities and challenges. A cost-of-living index of 90.4 suggests that while salaries are competitive, they must also account for local economic conditions. Among the various employers, hospital systems and CRNA-owned anesthesia group practices tend to offer the highest compensation packages, particularly those that include partnership tracks, which can enhance long-term earning potential. Significant pay disparities arise from factors such as call rotation differences, productivity incentives, and the structuring of W-2 versus 1099 contracts. For those looking to maximize their earnings in West Des Moines IA, aligning with employers that offer favorable scheduling, competitive bonuses, and additional stipends for coverage during off-hours or in trauma settings can substantially enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for West Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in West Des Moines, IA in 2026?
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in West Des Moines?
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Career Resources
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 $234,599 for nurse anesthetistsin the West 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
Salary data for West Des Moines 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