Nurse anesthetist salary guide

dental anesthetist helping youth patient adjust nosepiece
dental anesthetist with young patient

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 $195,610, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the highest pay among advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).

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 the 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

Nurse Anesthetists

National data

Median Salary: $195,610

Projected job growth: 11.8%

10th Percentile: $131,840

25th Percentile: $164,860

75th Percentile: N/A

90th Percentile: N/A

Projected job growth: 11.8%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $165,610 $128,110 N/A
Alaska N/A N/A N/A
Arizona $166,060 $76,910 N/A
Arkansas $154,580 $103,250 $175,030
California N/A $78,790 N/A
Colorado $164,830 $127,240 N/A
Connecticut N/A $168,110 N/A
Florida $164,860 $108,950 N/A
Georgia $195,380 $132,120 N/A
Hawaii N/A $195,730 N/A
Idaho $164,860 $128,460 N/A
Illinois N/A $173,610 N/A
Indiana $168,450 $156,410 N/A
Iowa $201,660 $157,460 N/A
Kansas $154,640 $103,250 $195,610
Kentucky $195,250 $33,110 N/A
Louisiana $168,450 $85,290 N/A
Maine $202,080 $164,640 N/A
Maryland N/A $47,570 N/A
Massachusetts N/A $168,450 N/A
Michigan N/A $172,800 N/A
Minnesota N/A $180,030 N/A
Mississippi $171,400 $81,690 N/A
Missouri $169,000 $130,980 N/A
Montana N/A N/A N/A
Nebraska N/A $168,120 N/A
New Hampshire N/A $195,250 N/A
New Jersey N/A $166,060 N/A
New Mexico $168,090 $24,480 N/A
New York N/A $166,060 N/A
North Carolina $195,250 $154,640 N/A
North Dakota N/A $169,050 N/A
Ohio $168,450 $128,380 N/A
Oklahoma $168,450 $129,870 N/A
Oregon N/A $193,120 N/A
Pennsylvania $195,910 $154,060 N/A
Rhode Island N/A N/A N/A
South Carolina $205,820 $155,030 N/A
South Dakota $195,380 $164,860 N/A
Tennessee $168,450 $131,810 N/A
Texas $195,550 $135,220 N/A
Utah N/A N/A N/A
Vermont $168,450 $154,640 N/A
Virginia $168,450 $128,380 N/A
Washington N/A $168,120 N/A
West Virginia $195,550 $166,680 N/A
Wisconsin N/A $200,160 N/A
Wyoming N/A $154,810 N/A

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2021 median salary; projected job growth through 2031. 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 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:

  • Ambulatory (same day) surgical centers
  • Pain management clinics

$254,180


General medical and surgical hospitals

Academic or community-based facilities providing short-term care for acute illnesses and injuries.
Places you may work:

  • Traditional hospital suites
  • Labor and delivery units
  • Public health centers

$212,340


Specialty hospitals

Healthcare facilities focused on treating specific medical conditions or patient populations.
Places you may work:

  • Midwifery or private birth centers
  • Critical access hospitals, small hospitals in rural areas
  • Plastic surgery centers
  • U.S. military and veterans’ hospitals

$219,540


Colleges and universities

Medical facilities or clinics operated by public, private, teaching, or research institutions.
Places you may work:

  • On-campus healthcare clinics
  • Teaching hospitals
  • Leadership roles in administrative offices

$200,340


Physicians’ offices

Private medical practices, clinics, medical groups, or independently practicing physicians’ offices.
Places you may work:

  • Podiatrist clinics
  • Sports medicine clinics

$194,240


Health practitioner offices

Clinics or private practices operated by advance practice providers such as nurse practitioners or other healthcare professionals.
Places you may work:

  • Dental offices
  • Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) group practices
  • Ophthalmologist offices

$179,220


Your Salary Also Can Depend on Where You Live

Where you live also can affect your earning power as a CRNA. For example, the top-paying states in the nation are largely rural, areas where it can be harder to attract healthcare workers.

Wyoming
Average Annual Pay for CRNAs: $223,680


Hourly average wage:
$107.54

Top paying area:
Hourly and annual wage data is calculated statewide.

Montana
Average Annual Pay for CRNAs: $239,380


Hourly average wage:
$115.09

Top paying area:
Hourly and annual wage data is calculated statewide.

Oregon
Average Annual Pay for CRNAs: $225,560


Hourly average wage:
$108.44

Top-paying area:

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro
$225,020

Wisconsin
Average Annual Pay for CRNAs: $235,550


Hourly average wage:
$113.25

Top-paying areas:

Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis
$236,640

Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area
$214,950

California
Average Annual Pay for CRNAs: $232,540


Hourly average wage:
$111.80

Top-paying areas:

Santa Clara-Sunnyvale
$224,350

Riverside-San Bernardino
$283,550

Los Angeles
$224,010

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021

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.

Career Median Annual Salary
Nurse Anesthetists $195,610
Nurse Practitioners $120,680
Nurse Midwives $112,830
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $48,070
Registered Nurses $77,600

Other Benefits and Perks

Along with highly competitive salaries, many employers might also pay for:

  • Continuing education needed to maintain CRNA certification
  • Leadership training courses to help CRNAs advance in the field 
  • Fees for malpractice insurance, which can run roughly $4,000 a year for full-time CRNAs and $2,200 for those working part-time

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.

malia jacobson

Written and reported by:

Malia Jacobson

Contributing Writer