Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Appleton, WI: $283,714 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Appleton, WI earns a median $283,714/year (≈ $136.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Appleton's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.4), that paycheck buys what $306,987 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source

Nurse anesthetists in Appleton, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $283,714 in 2026, a figure that reflects a favorable position against the national median of $248,893. The comprehensive salary range spans from $242,023 at the 10th percentile to $328,739 at the 90th percentile, underscoring the potential for variability based on experience and specific employment circumstances. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights Appleton's competitive salary offerings. The city's standing as an opt-out state for CRNAs may further enhance compensation by allowing nurse anesthetists to practice independently, thereby attracting a skilled workforce to the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $242,023 | $116.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $242,023 | $116.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $283,714 | $136.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $283,714 | $136.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $328,739 | $158.04 |
Median Salary Position
13.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Appleton
In Appleton, WI, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,716 (2026 est.). At $283,714, the local median is 13.99% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Appleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Appleton Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Appleton median: $283,714/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Appleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $248,893 | +13.99% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Appleton, WI earn a median of $283,714 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.99% higher than the national median of $248,893.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Appleton has a cost of living 7.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Appleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.419 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $283,714 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $306,987 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$199,610
2025 BLS Actual
$269,690
2026 Current Est.
$283,714
2019–2027 Growth
+49.5%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $199,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $209,264 | Actual |
| 2021 | $222,977 | Actual |
| 2022 | $231,503 | Actual |
| 2023 | $242,401 | Actual |
| 2024 | $207,707 | Actual |
| 2025 | $269,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $283,714 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $298,467 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Appleton metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.1% from $199,610 (2019) to $269,690 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $298,467 by 2027 — a total increase of $98,857 (49.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton 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) | $242,023 – $242,023 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $242,023 – $283,714 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $283,714 – $283,714 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $283,714 – $328,739 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Appleton
The demand for nurse anesthetists in Appleton remains robust, with hospitals and surgical centers keenly seeking qualified candidates to fill various roles. The cost-of-living index, currently at 92.419, suggests that the purchasing power in Appleton can be advantageous for CRNAs, particularly when compared to larger metropolitan areas. Key employers that tend to offer higher salaries include major hospital systems and CRNA-owned practices, which may provide partnership opportunities that allow for profit distribution. Factors contributing to the spread in compensation range from call coverage rotations and weekend shifts to trauma center stipends and the financial implications of W-2 versus 1099 tax structures. For nurse anesthetists looking to maximize their pay in Appleton, securing roles in high-demand specialties or negotiating for better terms in surgical practices can make a significant difference in overall earnings.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
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 $269,690 for nurse anesthetistsin the Appleton 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-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