Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Columbus, NE: $212,660 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Columbus, NE earns a median $212,660/year (≈ $102.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $232,415 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for nurse anesthetists in Columbus, Nebraska, is $212,660, which reflects a significant gap when compared to the national median salary of $248,893. The salary range for this role in Columbus varies, with figures extending from $155,940 at the 10th percentile to as high as $296,335 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, supplemented by regional cost of living adjustments. This compensation structure positions Columbus within the broader context of nurse anesthetist pay, illustrating the financial realities that practitioners face within this region.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($220,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $155,940 | $74.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $195,459 | $93.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $212,660 | $102.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $251,560 | $120.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $296,335 | $142.47 |
Median Salary Position
14.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, NE, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $140,395 (2026 est.). At $212,660, the local median is 14.56% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbus Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Columbus median: $212,660/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $227,687 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -14.56% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Columbus, NE earn a median of $212,660 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.56% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 6.60% below the Nebraska state average of $227,687.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $212,660 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $232,415 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$149,345
2025 BLS Actual
$202,148
2026 Current Est.
$212,660
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $149,345 | Actual |
| 2020 | $156,855 | Actual |
| 2021 | $167,134 | Actual |
| 2022 | $173,525 | Actual |
| 2023 | $181,693 | Actual |
| 2024 | $187,973 | Actual |
| 2025 | $202,148 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $212,660 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $223,718 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $149,345 (2019) to $202,148 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $223,718 by 2027 — a total increase of $74,373 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $155,940 – $195,459 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $195,459 – $212,660 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $212,660 – $251,560 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $251,560 – $296,335 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Columbus
Currently, there are four nurse anesthetists employed in the Columbus area, which suggests a niche yet stable job market. The local cost of living index of 91.5 indicates a lower than average living cost compared to national averages, positively impacting the take-home purchasing power for anesthetists in the city. Major employers in Columbus include local hospital systems, outpatient surgery centers, and anesthesia group practices, with varying pay scales based on employment arrangements. Factors influencing the salary discrepancies include differences in call coverage rotations, overtime provisions, and productivity bonuses. To maximize earnings, nurse anesthetists in this market may consider exploring group practice partnerships or negotiating beneficial contracts with locum tenens agencies to leverage their expertise more effectively.
More salary data for Columbus, NE:
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 $202,148 for nurse anesthetistsin the Columbus 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 Columbus 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