Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Missouri: $236,536 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $236,536/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $263,991 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Columbia ($310,170), St. Louis ($232,300), Springfield ($219,218).
In Missouri, the average median salary for nurse anesthetists in 2026 is projected to be $236,536, which is 5.0% lower than the national median of $248,893. The salary landscape varies significantly across the state, with Columbia leading at $326,299, while Joplin has the lowest at $179,650. This gap of $146,649 can primarily be attributed to cost of living differences, local demand for services, and the presence of healthcare facilities in metropolitan versus rural areas. Missouri's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws also play a role in defining the work environment for nurse anesthetists. The state allows for a wide range of practices under the supervision of anesthesiologists, and nurse anesthetists often work in various settings including hospitals and surgical clinics. The projected 5.20% annual growth rate in employment for this career suggests a strengthening job market, driven by an increasing need for anesthesia care in an aging population and expanding surgical services. Top cities for employment in 2026 include Columbia, St. Louis at $244,380, Springfield at $230,617, Kansas City at $229,420, and Independence at $227,590, highlighting the diverse opportunities available across Missouri.
Missouri Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Missouri: $138,952 (lowest entry-level) to $488,265 (highest top earner)
Missouri vs National Average
Missouri nurse anesthetists earn 4.96% less than the national median ($-12,357/year difference).
Missouri Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in Missouri range from $189,813 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $409,654 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $236,536. The Missouri median is $12,357 below the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $113.72/hr. Approximately 2,040 nurse anesthetists are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$152,453
2025 BLS Actual
$224,844
2026 Current Est.
$236,536
2019–2027 Growth
+63.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Missouri (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $152,453 | Actual |
| 2020 | $166,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $169,387 | Actual |
| 2022 | $177,097 | Actual |
| 2023 | $196,772 | Actual |
| 2024 | $190,599 | Actual |
| 2025 | $224,844 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $236,536 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $248,836 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 47.5% from $152,453 (2019) to $224,844 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $248,836 by 2027 — a total increase of $96,383 (63.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Missouri
Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in Missouri
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $326,299 | 89.438 | $364,833 |
| Springfield | $230,617 | 89.6 | $257,385 |
| St. Louis | $244,380 | 95.088 | $257,004 |
| Independence | $227,590 | 89.6 | $254,007 |
| St. Peters | $225,926 | 89.6 | $252,150 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $189,813 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $236,536 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $409,654 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Missouri
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $326,299 |
| 2 | St. Louis | $244,380 |
| 3 | Springfield | $230,617 |
| 4 | Kansas City | $229,420 |
| 5 | Independence | $227,590 |
| 6 | St. Peters | $225,926 |
| 7 | St. Charles | $225,503 |
| 8 | St. Joseph | $223,648 |
| 9 | O'Fallon | $222,888 |
| 10 | Florissant | $221,723 |
| 11 | Wildwood | $221,237 |
| 12 | Kirkwood | $221,172 |
| 13 | Lee's Summit | $221,048 |
| 14 | Chesterfield | $221,017 |
| 15 | University City | $219,856 |
| 16 | Liberty | $219,770 |
| 17 | Grandview | $219,389 |
| 18 | Maryland Heights | $219,026 |
| 19 | Blue Springs | $216,548 |
| 20 | Cape Girardeau | $216,344 |
| 21 | Raytown | $215,254 |
| 22 | Webster Groves | $214,181 |
| 23 | Sedalia | $214,114 |
| 24 | Ballwin | $213,731 |
| 25 | Nixa | $213,712 |
| 26 | Gladstone | $213,143 |
| 27 | Wentzville | $212,641 |
| 28 | Jefferson City | $212,450 |
| 29 | Belton | $210,844 |
| 30 | Branson | $207,238 |
| 31 | Raymore | $206,450 |
| 32 | Hannibal | $205,779 |
| 33 | Joplin | $179,650 |
More Missouri Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse anesthetist hourly pay in Missouri cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Compare Cities in Missouri
View all comparisons →Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Missouri in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse anesthetists in Missouri?
How does Missouri nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in Missouri?
How many nurse anesthetists are employed in Missouri?
Which Missouri city offers the best value for nurse anesthetists?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse anesthetist compensation across Missouri. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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