Nurse Anesthetist Career and Degree Guide
Other Advanced Nursing Careers
By: Malia Jacobson
How much does a nurse anesthetist make? (CRNA salary guide)
The amount of time and rigorous training required to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) might seem daunting, but this career is highly rewarding in more ways than one.
Not only do CRNAs fill a crucial role in healthcare, but they also earn a median annual salary of $223,210, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the highest pay among advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
In This Article
Advanced practice registered nurses include CRNAs, certified nurse midwife practitioners, family nurse practitioners and other highly educated nurses. CRNAs are respected healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians, surgeons and other members of a patient’s care team when anesthesia is needed for medical procedures. Their expertise, experience and responsibility are rewarded with highly competitive salaries.
CRNAs are rewarded with highly competitive salaries for their expertise, experience, and responsibility.
If you’re looking to join the nursing field and earn an excellent living, learn more about what salary you might expect as a CRNA, as well as other benefits of the role.
Median Annual Salary for CRNAs
CRNA Salaries by Workplace
In general, CRNAs enjoy plentiful job opportunities in an array of healthcare settings. But where you work can be a big influence, according to BLS numbers. This chart ranks CRNA workplaces from highest to lowest in terms of median pay.
Employer
Average Annual Salary
Outpatient care centers
A medical facility, often part of a hospital, that provides care for patients not staying overnight.
Places you may work:
$263,960
General medical and surgical hospitals
Academic or community-based facilities providing short-term care for acute illnesses and injuries.
Places you may work:
$234,250
Specialty hospitals
Healthcare facilities focused on treating specific medical conditions or patient populations.
Places you may work:
$229,980
Colleges and universities
Medical facilities or clinics operated by public, private, teaching, or research institutions.
Places you may work:
$211,540
Physicians’ offices
Private medical practices, clinics, medical groups, or independently practicing physicians’ offices.
Places you may work:
$214,890
Health practitioner offices
Clinics or private practices operated by advanced practice providers such as nurse practitioners or other healthcare professionals.
Places you may work:
$124,450
Your Nurse Anesthetist’s Salary Can Also Depend on Where You Live
Where you live also can affect your earning power as a CRNA. For example, the five top-paying states in the nation according to the BLS, have some rural areas where it can be harder to attract healthcare workers.
North Dakota
10%$210,250
25%$216,890
50%$232,420Median
75%$234,940
90%N/A
Median Hourly Wage$112
Job growth8.6%
Total Employment250
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | $234,940 | $215,080 | N/A |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $232,420 | $181,720 | N/A |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $229,770 | $228,800 | N/A |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
California
10%$59,990
25%$101,110
50%N/AMedian
75%N/A
90%N/A
Median Hourly WageN/A
Job growth8.6%
Total Employment2,270
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | N/A | $145,620 | N/A |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | N/A | $220,890 | N/A |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | N/A | $205,670 | N/A |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Connecticut
10%$103,740
25%$184,250
50%$227,930Median
75%N/A
90%N/A
Median Hourly Wage$110
Job growth8.6%
Total Employment570
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $223,670 | $186,890 | N/A |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $119,990 | $103,740 | N/A |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
New York
10%$174,120
25%$234,920
50%N/AMedian
75%N/A
90%N/A
Median Hourly WageN/A
Job growth8.6%
Total Employment1,210
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $238,530 | $233,480 | N/A |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | N/A | $237,940 | N/A |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | N/A | $197,060 | N/A |
| Rochester, NY | N/A | $230,900 | N/A |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Illinois
10%$113,380
25%$208,780
50%N/AMedian
75%N/A
90%N/A
Median Hourly WageN/A
Job growth8.6%
Total Employment1,270
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | N/A | $124,450 | N/A |
| Peoria, IL | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
CRNA Salaries Compared to Pay for Other Nurses
APRNs in general are well compensated, but CRNAs are way out in front of their peers with advanced credentials. In their field, only anesthesiologists make more. Here’s a comparison with a sampling of nurse roles.
Other Benefits and Perks
Along with highly competitive salaries, many employers might also pay for:
Another benefit is the potential for being paid to travel. Because CRNAs are needed in nearly every medical setting, you might have the option to work as a travel nurse on short-term assignments that last between two and six months.
Depending on demand due to nurse shortages, unfilled positions, leaves of absence, or emergency situations, travel nurses can often choose their assignments based on their desired location and specialty. And along with above-average pay, travel nurses often receive paid housing and untaxed stipends.