Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Madison, WI: $298,747 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Madison, WI earns a median $298,747/year (≈ $143.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Madison's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $307,078 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, the average nurse anesthetist salary in Madison, Wisconsin is projected to be $298,747, significantly above the national median of $248,893. With a salary range extending from $235,322 at the 10th percentile to $341,889 at the 90th percentile, nurse anesthetists in this city are positioned favorably compared to labor markets across the United States. This data is informed by 2025 BLS OEWS data and highlights Madison's attractive compensation landscape for nurse anesthetists. The area's healthcare infrastructure and emphasis on anesthesia care play a vital role in determining these figures, as professionals benefit from both competitive salaries and a comprehensive approach toward patient care.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $235,322 | $113.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $245,726 | $118.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $298,747 | $143.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $300,988 | $144.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $341,889 | $164.36 |
Median Salary Position
20.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, WI, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,567 (2026 est.). At $298,747, the local median is 20.03% above the national median of $248,893.
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At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be above the median
How Madison Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Madison median: $298,747/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $283,710 | +5.30% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +20.03% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Madison, WI earn a median of $298,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.03% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 5.30% above the Wisconsin state average of $283,710.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 2.71% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, WI has a cost-of-living index of 97.287 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $298,747 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $307,078 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$194,690
2025 BLS Actual
$283,980
2026 Current Est.
$298,747
2019–2027 Growth
+61.4%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $194,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $199,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $234,792 | Actual |
| 2022 | $226,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $235,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $214,177 | Actual |
| 2025 | $283,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $298,747 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $314,282 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 45.9% from $194,690 (2019) to $283,980 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $314,282 by 2027 — a total increase of $119,592 (61.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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) | $235,322 – $245,726 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $245,726 – $298,747 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $298,747 – $300,988 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $300,988 – $341,889 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Madison
Employing around 150 nurse anesthetists within its healthcare systems, Madison presents a strong job market for these professionals. The cost of living index is slightly below the national average at 97.287, which may enhance purchasing power compared to larger metropolitan areas. Larger employers such as major hospital systems provide solid W-2 opportunities, while ambulatory surgery centers and CRNA-owned group practices can offer flexible pay structures and profit-sharing models that vary significantly based on call coverage rotations and procedural volume. The variability in pay is influenced by factors such as weekend differentials, OR efficiency bonuses, and potential trauma center stipends. To maximize income in this market, nurse anesthetists should consider seeking positions that offer partnership tracks and negotiating for higher compensation based on experience and skill set, particularly in environments where they can practice independently.
More salary data for Madison, 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 $283,980 for nurse anesthetistsin the Madison 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, 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