Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Columbia, MO: $326,299 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Columbia, MO earns a median $326,299/year (≈ $156.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $364,833 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 46.3% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual nurse anesthetist salary in Columbia, Missouri, reaches $326,299, significantly surpassing the national median of $248,893 by approximately 31.10%. Nurse anesthetists in this region typically see a salary range from $226,622 at the 10th percentile to the median, tapering up to $326,299 at the 90th percentile. These statistics derive from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections, reflecting an increasing trend in compensation for this advanced practice role. Columbia's favorable positioning in the local healthcare market supports competitive pay, particularly for professionals operating in expanded scopes within the Anesthesia Care Team model, which continues to evolve alongside the strategic shift toward opt-out state practices.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $226,622 | $108.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $257,729 | $123.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $326,299 | $156.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $326,299 | $156.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $326,299 | $156.87 |
Median Salary Position
31.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, MO, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,677 (2026 est.). At $326,299, the local median is 31.1% above the national median of $248,893.
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At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be in the top 10% of earners
How Columbia Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Columbia median: $326,299/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $223,034 | +46.30% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +31.10% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Columbia, MO earn a median of $326,299 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.10% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 46.30% above the Missouri state average of $223,034.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 10.56% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.438 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $326,299 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $364,833 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.81% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$172,490
2025 BLS Actual
$310,170
2026 Current Est.
$326,299
2019–2027 Growth
+99.0%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $172,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $185,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $195,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $174,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $185,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $193,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $310,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $326,299 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $343,266 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 79.8% from $172,490 (2019) to $310,170 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $343,266 by 2027 — a total increase of $170,776 (99.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $226,622 – $257,729 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $257,729 – $326,299 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $326,299 – $326,299 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $326,299 – $326,299 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Columbia
Columbia's job market currently employs around 90 nurse anesthetists, reflecting a stable demand for anesthesia providers in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 89.438, a lower-than-average cost of living can enhance take-home purchasing power for those in the field, allowing for financial flexibility. Leading employers in Columbia include hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and CRNA-owned practices, which generally offer the highest compensation. Variability in salaries within the market can be attributed to factors such as call coverage rotations, weekend and holiday differentials, as well as OR efficiency bonuses. For nurse anesthetists seeking to maximize their pay in Columbia, strategies may involve negotiating rotations, choosing employers that provide performance-based incentives, and exploring both W-2 and 1099 employment options tailored to individual career goals.
More salary data for Columbia, MO:
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 $310,170 for nurse anesthetistsin the Columbia 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
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