Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Watertown, SD: $222,091 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Watertown, SD earns a median $222,091/year (≈ $106.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Watertown's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $239,322 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Watertown, South Dakota, the projected median annual nurse anesthetist salary in 2026 is $222,091, which positions local compensation approximately 10.77% lower than the national median of $248,893. Salaries for nurse anesthetists in the area range widely, from $155,113 at the 10th percentile to $301,460 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variances in job responsibilities, experience levels, and employment settings. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, with regional cost adjustments accounting for Watertown's overall lower cost-of-living index of 92.8. Understanding the compensation structure in this area is essential, particularly given the dynamics of the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) model in practice within South Dakota.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($218,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $155,113 | $74.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $198,498 | $95.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $222,091 | $106.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $270,013 | $129.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $301,460 | $144.93 |
Median Salary Position
10.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Watertown
In Watertown, SD, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $146,347 (2026 est.). At $222,091, the local median is 10.77% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Watertown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Watertown Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Watertown median: $222,091/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Watertown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $230,864 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -10.77% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Watertown, SD earn a median of $222,091 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.77% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 3.80% below the South Dakota state average of $230,864.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Watertown has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Watertown, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $222,091 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $239,322 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$155,968
2025 BLS Actual
$211,113
2026 Current Est.
$222,091
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $155,968 | Actual |
| 2020 | $163,811 | Actual |
| 2021 | $174,546 | Actual |
| 2022 | $181,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $189,751 | Actual |
| 2024 | $194,524 | Actual |
| 2025 | $211,113 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $222,091 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $233,640 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Watertown metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $155,968 (2019) to $211,113 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $233,640 by 2027 — a total increase of $77,672 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Watertown 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) | $155,113 – $198,498 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $198,498 – $222,091 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $222,091 – $270,013 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $270,013 – $301,460 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Watertown
The local job market sees around six employed nurse anesthetists, making job opportunities competitive yet specialized. The cost of living in Watertown, along with its below-average index, means that nurse anesthetists can enjoy a favorable take-home purchasing power. Among the potential employers, hospital systems and CRNA-owned anesthesia groups tend to offer higher salaries. Differences in salary often stem from factors such as call coverage rotations, which can vary from 1-in-8 to 1-in-5, along with varying weekend and holiday pay differentials. Trauma center positions may provide additional stipends, and the choice between W-2 employed roles versus independent contractor 1099 positions also impacts net earnings. To maximize pay in Watertown, nurse anesthetists should consider seeking roles at institutions emphasizing productivity bonuses or exploring partnership opportunities within anesthesia groups to leverage potential profit distribution.
More salary data for Watertown, SD:
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 $211,113 for nurse anesthetistsin the Watertown 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 Watertown 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