Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $297,548 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Milwaukee, WI earns a median $297,548/year (≈ $143.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Milwaukee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $306,950 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, nurse anesthetists in Milwaukee, WI, achieve a median annual salary of $297,548, significantly above the national median of $248,893. The salary spectrum for these professionals ranges from $238,667 at the 10th percentile to $303,544 at the 90th percentile, reflecting variances influenced by factors such as call coverage and work environment. Data based on 2025 BLS OEWS figures and projected to 2026 indicates that while the salary might appear attractive, the realities of the local job market and lifestyle preferences of CRNAs can create a notable spread in earnings. This salary dynamic highlights the diverse opportunities available for nurse anesthetists in the area, particularly in a city committed to advancing healthcare.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $238,667 | $114.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $278,475 | $133.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $297,548 | $143.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $303,544 | $145.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $303,544 | $145.93 |
Median Salary Position
19.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, WI, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,877 (2026 est.). At $297,548, the local median is 19.55% above the national median of $248,893.
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At 40 hours/week in Milwaukee: You'd be in the top 10% of earners
How Milwaukee Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Milwaukee median: $297,548/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $283,920 | +4.80% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +19.55% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $297,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.55% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 4.80% above the Wisconsin state average of $283,920.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukee has a cost of living 3.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96.937 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $297,548 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $306,950 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$201,560
2025 BLS Actual
$282,840
2026 Current Est.
$297,548
2019–2027 Growth
+55.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $201,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $219,467 | Actual |
| 2021 | $233,849 | Actual |
| 2022 | $231,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $254,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $230,839 | Actual |
| 2025 | $282,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $297,548 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $313,020 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 40.3% from $201,560 (2019) to $282,840 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $313,020 by 2027 — a total increase of $111,460 (55.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee 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) | $238,667 – $278,475 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $278,475 – $297,548 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $297,548 – $303,544 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $303,544 – $303,544 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Milwaukee
With approximately 210 nurse anesthetists employed in Milwaukee, the job market remains solid, particularly given the cost of living index of 96.937, which suggests a relatively affordable living compared to the national average. Competitive compensation in the region is driven by a variety of factors, including workplace type; major hospital systems typically offer robust benefits but may have demanding on-call schedules, while CRNA-owned practices may allow for more favorable partnerships. The disparity in pay is often influenced by call rotation schedules, with certain positions requiring more frequent weekends and holidays, impacting work-life balance and, ultimately, remuneration. Furthermore, understanding the nuances of employment structures—W-2 versus 1099—can significantly affect take-home pay. Those keen on maximizing their earnings should strategically consider varied employment settings and advocate for productivity bonuses and trauma center stipends, which can enhance overall salary in this unique Milwaukee market.
More salary data for Milwaukee, 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 $282,840 for nurse anesthetistsin the Milwaukee 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, 4-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