The nurse anesthetist pathway has been a growing area of advanced nursing, leading many RNs to consider pursuing a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in the field. Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) enjoy rewarding nursing careers assisting doctors with anesthesia administration, and are paid handsomely as well. CRNAs regularly earn well over $200,000 per year.

Salary Comparison Tool

This tool will allow you to easily search and compare the average salaries of nurses for many cities and locations across the U.S. You can search by city and state. Salary data is provided through the BLS.

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How Much Does a Nurse Anesthetist Make?

There are a few factors that will determine a CRNA's salary:

Type of Employer

Nurse anesthetists can provide their services in a number of different employment settings, including physicians' offices, hospitals, surgery centers, and outpatient care facilities. Salary can vary widely depending on where a CRNA works, but generally speaking, outpatient care centers are one of the highest paying employers, with CRNAs earning an annual mean wage of $214,200.

Location

Where a nurse anesthetist aims to be employed is another huge factor in what kind of salary a CRNA can earn. Bigger cities and areas with great need for nurse anesthetists tend to pay higher salaries than smaller, less populated regions without a lot of demand. Illinois is currently the top-paying state for nurse anesthetists, with an average annual CRNA wage of $281,240 annually.

Experience & Degree Level

The minimum amount of education for a nurse anesthetist is a master's degree. Some CRNAs may choose to obtain a doctoral degree in the field. Doctoral CRNA grads may earn more than those with just a master's degree, but many other factors must also be considered. The more certifications and credentials a nurse anesthetist holds, the higher their salary tends to be. The National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists offers certification in both CRNA and Nonsurgical Pain Management (NSPM).

Research available CRNA schools and DNP salary.

Nurse Anesthetist Salary Per Hour

While CRNA wages differ from state to state, the national mean salary for a nurse anesthetist is $102.98 per hour, according to the May 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report. This equates to a mean annual salary of $214,200 – one of the highest-paying RN specialties in the field. CRNAs may also receive additional compensation through overtime, bonuses, and profit sharing, depending on their place of employment. As you may expect, experienced nurse anesthetists tend to earn more per hour than new grads. Overall, many RNs feel that the increase in salary as a CRNA is worth the additional education costs.

The BLS also lists the top-paying industries for nurse anesthetists, which include:

  • Outpatient care centers, with a mean hourly wage of $126.91
  • General medical and surgical hospitals, with a mean hourly wage of $110.65
  • Specialty hospitals (except psychiatric and substance abuse), with a mean hourly wage of $110.57
  • Home healthcare services, with a mean hourly wage of $103.87

CRNA Salary Table

LocationTotal EmploymentAnnual Salary
United States46,540$203,090
Alabama1,320$177,400
Arizona290$197,360
Arkansas380*
California2,000$235,120
Colorado430$184,460
Connecticut560$217,760
Delaware70$224,430
Florida3,990$165,770
Georgia1,230$178,950
Idaho270$178,040
Illinois1,930$230,410
Indiana730$202,550
Iowa350$208,140
Kansas550$166,590
Kentucky290#
Louisiana930$183,780
Maine390$207,620
Maryland540$202,310
Massachusetts530$214,240
Michigan3,590$195,840
Minnesota2,460$222,400
Mississippi400$180,450
Missouri1,040$181,140
Montana60$216,910
Nebraska400$216,150
New Hampshire550$212,710
New Jersey1,360$208,330
New Mexico320$207,310
New York1,690$226,340
North Carolina2,380$206,750
North Dakota150$227,010
Ohio3,490$178,500
Oklahoma-$179,900
Oregon340$218,370
Pennsylvania2,870$190,510
South Carolina910$192,080
South Dakota350$197,970
Tennessee1,760$177,340
Texas2,880$222,580
Vermont60$205,150
Virginia530$181,690
Washington430$214,800
West Virginia320$214,360
Wisconsin780$226,580
Wyoming40$230,420
Puerto Rico250$62,530

Table data taken from 2022 BLS (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291151.htm)

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