Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Helena, MT: $221,027 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Helena, MT earns a median $221,027/year (≈ $106.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Helena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $229,758 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nurse anesthetists in Helena, Montana, can expect a median annual salary of $221,027 in 2026, which reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments. The salary range for this role varies significantly, with individuals earning between $153,883 at the lower end to as much as $307,910 at the top tier. Such a wide spread underscores the impact of call-coverage responsibilities and the work-life balance that professionals in this field must navigate. Helena’s nurse anesthetist market faces unique conditions driven by both the local employment landscape and the demand for anesthesia services, influencing compensation for these healthcare providers.
About the Helena Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($218,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $153,883 | $73.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $198,325 | $95.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $221,027 | $106.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $276,715 | $133.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $307,910 | $148.04 |
Median Salary Position
11.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Helena
In Helena, MT, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $154,027 (2026 est.). At $221,027, the local median is 11.2% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Helena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Helena Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Helena median: $221,027/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Helena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $230,717 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -11.20% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Helena, MT earn a median of $221,027 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.20% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 4.20% below the Montana state average of $230,717.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Helena 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.
Helena, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $221,027 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $229,758 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$155,221
2025 BLS Actual
$210,102
2026 Current Est.
$221,027
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $155,221 | Actual |
| 2020 | $163,027 | Actual |
| 2021 | $173,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $180,353 | Actual |
| 2023 | $188,842 | Actual |
| 2024 | $200,829 | Actual |
| 2025 | $210,102 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $221,027 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $232,521 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Helena metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $155,221 (2019) to $210,102 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $232,521 by 2027 — a total increase of $77,300 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Helena 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) | $153,883 – $198,325 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $198,325 – $221,027 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $221,027 – $276,715 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $276,715 – $307,910 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Helena
An analysis of the job market in Helena reveals that there are only seven nurse anesthetists employed in the area, indicating a relatively small but potentially stable workforce. The cost of living index is at 96.2, which is below the national average, suggesting that current salaries afford a reasonable lifestyle for practitioners. Among local employers, hospital systems typically offer the highest compensation packages, followed by ambulatory surgery centers and CRNA-owned group practices. The disparity in salaries is largely attributed to variations in call coverage, from rotations of 1-in-8 to 1-in-5, along with additional factors such as weekend and holiday differentials, productivity bonuses, and the potential for profit sharing in partnerships. To maximize earnings in Helena, nurse anesthetists should consider diverse employment settings, explore positions with optimal scheduling, and take advantage of opportunities for additional compensation through trauma center stipends or alternative tax structures associated with 1099 employment.
More salary data for Helena, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Helena?
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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 $210,102 for nurse anesthetistsin the Helena 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 Helena 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