What to Pay a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Denver, CO (2026)
How to set your CRNA pay range in Denver
Three pay positions, modeled against current Denver market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
CRNA salary percentile distribution in Denver, CO
Where the Denver market actually sits for CRNA base pay.
Most Denver employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($248,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $225,000 and a max of $282,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Colorado pay transparency compliance for CRNA job postings
What you must post when hiring a CRNA in Colorado.
| Requirement | Applies When | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Pay range in job posting | 1+ Colorado employees or remote roles open to CO residents | $500–$10,000 per violation |
| Benefits summary in posting | All covered postings | $500–$10,000 per violation |
| Notify current employees of promotions | All covered employers | $500–$10,000 per violation |
For a CRNA role in Denver, a compliant good-faith range looks like $225,000 to $282,000. Colorado requires a specific range — not a single number. A good-faith range is $225,000–$282,000 for this role.
Top CRNA employers in Denver — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring CRNAs in the Denver metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| HealthONE / HCA Mountain | Health system | $242K–$295K | Very common ($28K–$45K) |
| UCHealth | Academic medical center | $245K–$298K | Common ($20K–$35K) |
| Centura Health / CommonSpirit | Health system | $238K–$290K | Very common ($25K–$42K) |
| Kaiser Permanente Colorado | Integrated health system | $242K–$295K | Common ($20K–$35K) |
| Independent anesthesia groups | Physician-led groups | $258K–$322K | Production-based |
CRNA talent supply and hiring difficulty in Denver
How hard is it to fill a CRNA role in Denver.
Denver CRNA market driven by HealthONE, UCHealth, Centura.
Skill premiums CRNA candidates command in Denver, CO
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiac anesthesia | +10–15% | Very high |
| Regional anesthesia / blocks | +8–12% | Very high |
| Pediatric anesthesia (Children's CO) | +9–14% | High |
| Independent practice | +10–15% | Colorado allows |
CRNA total compensation in Denver — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for CRNAs in Denver. "Prevalence" reflects share of Denver disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Denver Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $248,000 (median) | 100% |
| Call pay (standby + callback) | $10–$16/hr standby + 2–3× hourly | ~95% |
| Sign-on bonus | $20,000–$45,000 | ~80% |
| Loan repayment | $25K–$55K total | ~46% |
| Production bonus | $22K–$55K | ~42% (independent groups) |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$298K–$358K | — |
Shift differentials and sign-on bonuses are typically table stakes rather than differentiators. Tuition reimbursement for LPN-to-RN bridge programs is increasingly the lever that wins competitive offers, particularly for early-career candidates.
CRNA pay by setting in Denver — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the CRNA range splits by employer type in the Denver metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital OR (ACT) | $245,000 | $222K–$282K | Very high |
| Hospital OR (CRNA-only) | $252,000 | $228K–$290K | Very high |
| Ambulatory surgery center | $232,000 | $212K–$268K | Very high |
| Pain management clinic | $238,000 | $215K–$275K | Tight |
| Independent practice | $272,000 | $248K–$315K | Very tight |
CRNA salary in Denver vs. other Colorado and nearby metros
What you'd pay if you hired in a nearby metro instead.
| Location | Median Base | vs. Denver | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO | $248,000 | — | Tight |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $225,000 | −9.3% | Tight |
| Phoenix–Mesa–Scottsdale, AZ | $245,000 | −1.2% | Very tight |
| Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WA | $258,000 | +4.0% | Very tight |
| Colorado statewide | $232,000 | −6.5% | — |
| U.S. national | $220,000 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Denver, CO
Related CRNA pay benchmarks — Colorado metros and nearby nursing roles
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Data refreshed May 15, 2026. Next scheduled update: August 15, 2026.
© 2026 BetterComp. Market data informational only — not legal advice.