Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Waukesha, WI: $301,297 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Waukesha, WI earns a median $301,297/year (≈ $144.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Waukesha's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $322,588 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukesha, Wisconsin, the nurse anesthetist salary in 2026 is projected to reach an impressive $301,297, positioning it significantly above the national median of $248,893. Nurse anesthetists in this market can expect a salary range between $192,832 at the lower end (P10) and $417,866 at the upper echelon (P90). These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, factoring in regional cost adjustments for Waukesha, which boasts a cost-of-living index of 93.4. Such compensation reflects not only the local demand for skilled CRNAs but also the favorable economic conditions that impact healthcare reimbursement rates compared to areas operating under the Anesthesia Care Team model.
About the Waukesha Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($225,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $192,832 | $92.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $257,355 | $123.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $301,297 | $144.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $367,493 | $176.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $417,866 | $200.90 |
Median Salary Position
21.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukesha
In Waukesha, WI, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $225,034 (2026 est.). At $301,297, the local median is 21.05% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukesha: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukesha Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Waukesha median: $301,297/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukesha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $283,707 | +6.20% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +21.05% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Waukesha, WI earn a median of $301,297 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.05% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 6.20% above the Wisconsin state average of $283,707.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukesha has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waukesha, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $301,297 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $322,588 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$211,592
2025 BLS Actual
$286,404
2026 Current Est.
$301,297
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Waukesha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $211,592 | Actual |
| 2020 | $222,233 | Actual |
| 2021 | $236,796 | Actual |
| 2022 | $245,851 | Actual |
| 2023 | $257,423 | Actual |
| 2024 | $210,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $286,404 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $301,297 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $316,964 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukesha metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $211,592 (2019) to $286,404 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $316,964 by 2027 — a total increase of $105,372 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukesha 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) | $192,832 – $257,355 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $257,355 – $301,297 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $301,297 – $367,493 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $367,493 – $417,866 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Waukesha
The job market for nurse anesthetists in Waukesha is relatively strong, with 14 professionals currently employed in the field. The cost of living being below the national average enhances the effective purchasing power for CRNAs in the area. While hospital systems and ambulatory surgery centers are typical employers, CRNA-owned group practices often provide competitive pay structures due to profit-sharing models for partnership tracks. Factors influencing salary variation include call coverage rotations and weekday versus holiday differentials, alongside OR productivity bonuses. To maximize earning potential in Waukesha, it’s advisable for nurse anesthetists to consider flexible work arrangements like locum tenens positioning or seek out roles within organizations that offer greater flexibility in compensation structures, such as trauma center stipends and 1099 contract opportunities.
More salary data for Waukesha, 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 $286,404 for nurse anesthetistsin the Waukesha 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 Waukesha 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