Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Wausau, WI: $283,819 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Wausau, WI earns a median $283,819/year (≈ $136.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $306,331 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Nurse anesthetists in Wausau, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $283,819 in 2026, reflecting a robust compensation structure compared to the national median of $248,893. This figure represents a notable advantage in nurse anesthetist pay in Wausau, WI, at approximately +14.03% above the national average. The salary range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $225,296 (P10) and experienced practitioners potentially earning as much as $337,303 (P90). This salary data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys and indicates a well-compensated field in this region. Wausau’s healthcare system, characterized by a mix of W-2 hospital employment and 1099 group practices, also plays an integral role in determining salary outcomes and may lead to high compensation variability based on practice structure.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $225,296 | $108.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $283,756 | $136.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $283,819 | $136.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $337,303 | $162.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $337,303 | $162.17 |
Median Salary Position
14.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,007 (2026 est.). At $283,819, the local median is 14.03% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be above the median
How Wausau Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Wausau median: $283,819/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $248,893 | +14.03% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Wausau, WI earn a median of $283,819 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.03% higher than the national median of $248,893.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wausau has a cost of living 7.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wausau, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.651 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $283,819 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $306,331 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.93% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$199,318
2025 BLS Actual
$269,790
2026 Current Est.
$283,819
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $199,318 | Actual |
| 2020 | $209,341 | Actual |
| 2021 | $223,059 | Actual |
| 2022 | $207,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $221,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $204,327 | Actual |
| 2025 | $269,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $283,819 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $298,578 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $199,318 (2019) to $269,790 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $298,578 by 2027 — a total increase of $99,260 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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) | $225,296 – $283,756 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $283,756 – $283,819 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $283,819 – $337,303 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $337,303 – $337,303 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Wausau
The local market employs approximately 70 nurse anesthetists, indicating a steady demand for these professionals in Wausau and surrounding areas. With a cost-of-living index of 92.651, the purchasing power for nurse anesthetists can be relatively strong, enhancing take-home pay. Among employers, Wausau’s hospital systems typically offer the highest salaries in a W-2 model, while 1099 arrangements in ambulatory surgery centers and CRNA-owned practices can also yield competitive compensation, especially for skilled practitioners considering partnerships. Factors influencing the pay spectrum include call coverage commitments, flexibility during weekends and holidays, and performance incentives tied to overall productivity. Generally, those occupying less demanding call schedules or who have established productive rapport with local surgical teams may find the best strategies for maximizing their earnings in Wausau’s healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Wausau, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Wausau, WI in 2026?
Is Wausau, WI a good place to work as a nurse anesthetist?
Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Wausau?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nurse anesthetist salary in Wausau?
How much does a nurse anesthetist make per hour in Wausau?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 $269,790 for nurse anesthetistsin the Wausau 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