Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Kearney, NE: $219,305 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Kearney, NE earns a median $219,305/year (≈ $105.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $239,678 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Certainly, the nurse anesthetist salary in Kearney, NE, is projected to be $219,305 in 2026, reflecting a notable position within the state. This figure represents a range between $154,682 at the 10th percentile and $307,859 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diversity in compensation among professionals in this field. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and local cost adjustments, indicate that Kearney's salary is approximately 11.89% lower than the national median of $248,893. Understanding the nuances of the local market is vital for nurse anesthetists, especially given that Nebraska operates under an Anesthesia Care Team model, where CRNAs work in collaboration with anesthesiologists, influencing their pay rates and employment opportunities.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($220,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $154,682 | $74.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $198,255 | $95.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $219,305 | $105.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $271,261 | $130.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $307,859 | $148.01 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $153,177 (2026 est.). At $219,305, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Kearney median: $219,305/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $227,731 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -11.89% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Kearney, NE earn a median of $219,305 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $227,731.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney 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.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $219,305 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $239,678 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$154,012
2025 BLS Actual
$208,465
2026 Current Est.
$219,305
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $154,012 | Actual |
| 2020 | $161,757 | Actual |
| 2021 | $172,357 | Actual |
| 2022 | $178,947 | Actual |
| 2023 | $187,371 | Actual |
| 2024 | $193,847 | Actual |
| 2025 | $208,465 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $219,305 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $230,709 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $154,012 (2019) to $208,465 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $230,709 by 2027 — a total increase of $76,697 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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) | $154,682 – $198,255 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $198,255 – $219,305 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $219,305 – $271,261 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $271,261 – $307,859 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Kearney
In Kearney, only nine nurse anesthetists are currently employed, emphasizing a specialized job market that allows for potential negotiating power. The local cost of living index stands at 91.5, which is significantly below the national average, suggesting that take-home pay may stretch further than in higher-cost areas. Hospitals and surgical centers typically contribute to the highest salaries within the region, while CRNA-owned practices may offer attractive profit-sharing opportunities or partnership tracks, particularly in areas where experience and call rotation practices vary in frequency. Strategies for maximizing compensation include considering positions with favorable weekend or holiday differentials, understanding the intricacies of work-life balance, and being aware of the financial implications of 1099 versus W-2 employment. The interplay of these factors can significantly impact how much do nurse anesthetists make in Kearney, shaping their overall financial outcomes within this local environment.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Kearney, NE in 2026?
Is Kearney, NE a good place to work as a nurse anesthetist?
Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Kearney?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nurse anesthetist salary in Kearney?
How much does a nurse anesthetist make per hour in Kearney?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Nebraska
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 $208,465 for nurse anesthetistsin the Kearney 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 Kearney 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