Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Montana: $229,536 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Montana's 7 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $229,536/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because Montana sits at BEA RPP 96.2 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $238,603 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Billings ($226,230), Great Falls ($218,813), Bozeman ($215,894).
In 2026, the average median salary for nurse anesthetists in Montana is projected to be $229,536, which is 7.8% lower than the national median of $248,893. The highest-paying city in Montana is Billings, with a salary of $237,994, while Kalispell offers the lowest at $220,389, revealing a salary gap of $17,605. This difference can be attributed to variations in demand for services, cost of living, and healthcare infrastructure across different metro areas. Montana has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact nurse anesthetists. The demand in healthcare settings, particularly due to the growing population and aging demographic, is expected to drive job opportunities in this field. With a projected growth rate of 5.20%, there will be 86 nurse anesthetists employed throughout the state. The top five cities for nurse anesthetist salaries in 2026 are Billings at $237,994, Great Falls at $230,191, Bozeman at $227,120, Missoula at $225,713, and Butte at $224,305. Job market strength and outlook in Montana are favorable, reflecting increased needs for anesthesia services across medical facilities.
Montana Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Montana: $144,030 (lowest entry-level) to $340,092 (highest top earner)
Montana vs National Average
Montana nurse anesthetists earn 7.78% less than the national median ($-19,357/year difference).
Montana Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in Montana range from $151,532 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $329,891 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $229,536. The Montana median is $19,357 below the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $110.35/hr. Approximately 86 nurse anesthetists are employed across 7 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$161,197
2025 BLS Actual
$218,190
2026 Current Est.
$229,536
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Montana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $161,197 | Actual |
| 2020 | $169,303 | Actual |
| 2021 | $180,397 | Actual |
| 2022 | $187,296 | Actual |
| 2023 | $196,112 | Actual |
| 2024 | $208,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $218,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $229,536 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $241,472 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montana metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $161,197 (2019) to $218,190 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $241,472 by 2027 — a total increase of $80,275 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montana 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 Montana
Lowest Paying Cities in Montana
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in Montana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Montana cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $237,994 | 96.2 | $247,395 |
| Great Falls | $230,191 | 96.2 | $239,284 |
| Bozeman | $227,120 | 96.2 | $236,091 |
| Missoula | $225,713 | 96.2 | $234,629 |
| Butte | $224,305 | 96.2 | $233,165 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $151,532 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $229,536 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $329,891 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Montana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 7 Cities in Montana
More Montana Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Montana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse anesthetists in Montana?
How does Montana nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in Montana?
How many nurse anesthetists are employed in Montana?
Which Montana 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 Montana. State averages are employment-weighted across 7 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, 2-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