Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Great Falls, MT: $230,191 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Great Falls, MT earns a median $230,191/year (≈ $110.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Great Falls's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $239,284 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nurse anesthetists in Great Falls, Montana earn a competitive median annual salary of $230,191, positioning them lower than the national median of $248,893 for 2026. The salary range for this profession locally is broad, spanning from $144,466 at the 10th percentile to $339,876 at the 90th percentile, reflecting variations based on practice settings and experience levels. Effective compensation is often influenced by whether professionals are employed in structured environments like local hospitals (typically W-2 roles) or operate within independent group practices (often set up as 1099 positions). The concentration of CRNA practices and employment models varies, indicating potential flexibility in income for those navigating options in the Great Falls job market.
About the Great Falls Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($218,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $144,466 | $69.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $195,184 | $93.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $230,191 | $110.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $293,140 | $140.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $339,876 | $163.40 |
Median Salary Position
7.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Great Falls
In Great Falls, MT, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $195,410 (2026 est.). At $230,191, the local median is 7.51% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Great Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Great Falls Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Great Falls median: $230,191/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Great Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $230,884 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -7.51% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Great Falls, MT earn a median of $230,191 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.51% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 0.30% below the Montana state average of $230,884.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Great Falls has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Great Falls, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $230,191 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $239,284 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$161,657
2025 BLS Actual
$218,813
2026 Current Est.
$230,191
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $161,657 | Actual |
| 2020 | $169,786 | Actual |
| 2021 | $180,912 | Actual |
| 2022 | $187,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $196,672 | Actual |
| 2024 | $209,155 | Actual |
| 2025 | $218,813 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $230,191 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $242,161 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Great Falls metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $161,657 (2019) to $218,813 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $242,161 by 2027 — a total increase of $80,504 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great Falls 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) | $144,466 – $195,184 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $195,184 – $230,191 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $230,191 – $293,140 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $293,140 – $339,876 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Great Falls
The local job market for nurse anesthetists is relatively small, comprising just 12 employed professionals. The cost of living in Great Falls, noted at an index of 96.2, provides an advantageous backdrop for compensation, enhancing purchasing power despite lower salaries compared to national averages. Among the highest-paying employers are hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and CRNA-owned groups, each offering different pay structures. Factors such as call coverage rotations, weekend and holiday differentials, and operational productivity bonuses further create a disparity in earnings. To maximize income in this market, CRNAs should seek opportunities in trauma centers or consider 1099 arrangements that might offer profit-sharing benefits. Understanding local dynamics and selecting the right employment model can greatly enhance nurse anesthetist pay in Great Falls, MT.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
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 $218,813 for nurse anesthetistsin the Great Falls 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 Great Falls 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