Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Wisconsin: $283,852 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $283,852/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $303,910 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Waukesha ($286,404), Madison ($283,980), Milwaukee ($282,840).
For those considering a career as a nurse anesthetist in Wisconsin, the salary outlook for 2026 is promising, with an average median salary of $283,853, surpassing the national median of $248,893 by 14.0%. The highest-paying city in the state is Waukesha with an impressive salary of $301,297, while La Crosse has the lowest at $237,173—a $64,124 difference. This variance is primarily driven by factors such as the local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in metropolitan areas. Wisconsin requires nurse anesthetists to hold an active RN license with advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) credentials, which encompasses specific scope of practice laws that allow for a significant degree of autonomy in clinical settings. The demand for nurse anesthetists in the state is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.20%, reflecting a consistent need for anesthetic services across various healthcare environments. In major cities, salaries are markedly higher, with Madison ($298,747), Milwaukee ($297,548), Green Bay ($290,545), and Eau Claire ($286,679) also reflecting strong compensation levels. As such, employment prospects for nurse anesthetists in Wisconsin are favorable, with a total employment of 816 professionals in the field, suggesting a robust job market for aspiring anesthetists.
Wisconsin Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $162,925 (lowest entry-level) to $417,866 (highest top earner)
Wisconsin vs National Average
Wisconsin nurse anesthetists earn 14.05% more than the national median (+$34,959/year difference).
Wisconsin Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in Wisconsin range from $210,159 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $346,608 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $283,852. The Wisconsin median is $34,959 above the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $136.47/hr. Approximately 816 nurse anesthetists are employed across 46 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$199,524
2025 BLS Actual
$269,822
2026 Current Est.
$283,852
2019–2027 Growth
+49.7%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Wisconsin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $199,524 | Actual |
| 2020 | $199,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $223,086 | Actual |
| 2022 | $226,293 | Actual |
| 2023 | $230,832 | Actual |
| 2024 | $211,393 | Actual |
| 2025 | $269,822 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $283,852 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $298,613 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.2% from $199,524 (2019) to $269,822 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $298,613 by 2027 — a total increase of $99,089 (49.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| La Crosse | $237,173 |
| Onalaska | $240,351 |
| Wisconsin Rapids | $260,227 |
| Middleton | $262,404 |
| Platteville | $265,221 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in Wisconsin
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | $301,297 | 93.4 | $322,588 |
| Green Bay | $290,545 | 93.4 | $311,076 |
| Madison | $298,747 | 97.287 | $307,078 |
| Appleton | $283,714 | 92.419 | $306,987 |
| Milwaukee | $297,548 | 96.937 | $306,950 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $210,159 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $283,852 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $346,608 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 46 Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waukesha | $301,297 |
| 2 | Madison | $298,747 |
| 3 | Milwaukee | $297,548 |
| 4 | Green Bay | $290,545 |
| 5 | Eau Claire | $286,679 |
| 6 | West Allis | $284,049 |
| 7 | Wausau | $283,819 |
| 8 | Appleton | $283,714 |
| 9 | Fitchburg | $282,165 |
| 10 | Greenfield | $282,143 |
| 11 | Kenosha | $281,487 |
| 12 | Racine | $280,026 |
| 13 | Oshkosh | $279,778 |
| 14 | Menomonee Falls | $279,698 |
| 15 | Brookfield | $279,038 |
| 16 | West Bend | $278,883 |
| 17 | De Pere | $278,663 |
| 18 | New Berlin | $278,135 |
| 19 | Beloit | $275,932 |
| 20 | Sun Prairie | $275,778 |
| 21 | Caledonia | $275,030 |
| 22 | Mount Pleasant | $274,897 |
| 23 | Janesville | $274,451 |
| 24 | Muskego | $274,434 |
| 25 | Stevens Point | $273,157 |
| 26 | Franklin | $272,849 |
| 27 | Oak Creek | $271,989 |
| 28 | Superior | $271,572 |
| 29 | Manitowoc | $271,439 |
| 30 | Sheboygan | $271,219 |
| 31 | Fond du Lac | $270,603 |
| 32 | Pewaukee | $270,429 |
| 33 | South Milwaukee | $269,639 |
| 34 | Pleasant Prairie | $269,596 |
| 35 | Menomonie | $269,319 |
| 36 | Whitewater | $269,297 |
| 37 | Wauwatosa | $269,061 |
| 38 | Germantown | $268,871 |
| 39 | Marshfield | $268,764 |
| 40 | River Falls | $267,440 |
| 41 | Mequon | $265,243 |
| 42 | Platteville | $265,221 |
| 43 | Middleton | $262,404 |
| 44 | Wisconsin Rapids | $260,227 |
| 45 | Onalaska | $240,351 |
| 46 | La Crosse | $237,173 |
More Wisconsin Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Wisconsin in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse anesthetists in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in Wisconsin?
How many nurse anesthetists are employed in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin city offers the best value for nurse anesthetists?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse anesthetist compensation across Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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