CRNA Salary by State

Complete Compensation Guide for 2026

Last updated:

Quick Answer

How much do CRNAs make?

The national median CRNA salary is $212,650 per year ($102 per hour). Salaries range from $212,650 in Texas to $254,750 in California. CRNAs earn approximately 2.6x the median RN salary, making them among the highest-paid nursing professionals.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

We built this page because salary data should inform real decisions, not just impress your family at Thanksgiving. Whether you are weighing program tuition against future earnings or deciding which state to target for clinical rotations, these numbers give you a concrete starting point for planning your CRNA career.

In This Article (5 sections)
$212,650
Median Salary
$102
Hourly Rate
40%
Job Growth
154
Programs

Find CRNA Programs by State

What if the highest-paying state is not the best place to practice? Where you live, train, and work all affect your net income differently. Click a state below to see CRNA programs, tuition, and admission requirements in that region.

Highest Paying States for CRNAs

You have heard CRNAs make great money, but the real question is where that salary goes furthest. A $254,000 paycheck in California looks different after rent, state taxes, and a $7 coffee. These rankings show raw median salary, so factor in cost of living before making any decisions about where to build your CRNA career.

Rank State Median Salary
1 California $254,750
2 New York $243,250
3 Oregon $236,420
4 Montana $235,570
5 Wyoming $234,830
6 Washington $232,750
7 Nevada $230,980
8 Massachusetts $228,720
9 Connecticut $227,590
10 New Jersey $225,140
11 Alaska $224,580
12 Colorado $223,570
13 Minnesota $221,890
14 Wisconsin $219,650
15 Hawaii $218,720

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

What Affects CRNA Salary?

The state with the most CRNAs is not the one paying them the most. Supply, demand, practice setting, and call schedules all shift compensation in ways that are not obvious from a single number. Here is what actually moves the needle on your paycheck.

Geographic Location

Urban areas and high cost-of-living states typically pay more. Rural areas may offer bonuses to attract providers. Browse programs by state in our free School Database.

Practice Setting

Hospitals, surgery centers, pain clinics, and private practices offer different compensation structures.

Experience Level

Experienced CRNAs with 10+ years can earn 20-30% more than new graduates.

Call & Overtime

Taking call and working overtime can significantly increase annual compensation.

CRNA Salary Comparison

Knowing how CRNA pay stacks up against other nursing and provider roles changes how you evaluate the investment of time and tuition. The gap between an RN salary and a CRNA salary is not small. It is life-changing, and it starts the day you graduate from your CRNA program.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) $212,650
Nurse Practitioner (NP) $124,680
Registered Nurse (RN) $81,220

CRNAs earn approximately 2.6x the median RN salary and 1.7x the median NP salary. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average CRNA salary?

The national median CRNA salary is $212,650 per year, which breaks down to $102 per hour according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That puts CRNAs among the highest-paid nursing professionals in the country. The median is not the ceiling, either. CRNAs who take call, work overtime, or practice in high-demand areas often earn well above this number. Location plays a major role, with some states paying $40,000+ more than others for the same job. Your practice setting matters too. Hospital-based CRNAs, outpatient surgery centers, and pain clinics all pay differently. Curious how salaries compare in your target state? The CRNA Club's free School Database lets you filter programs by location and see tuition alongside salary data.

Which state pays CRNAs the most?

California leads the country with a median CRNA salary of $254,750 per year. That is roughly $42,000 more than the national median. But a high salary number alone does not tell the full story. Cost of living in California is among the highest in the nation, so your take-home purchasing power may be lower than in a state that pays $20,000 less. States like Montana and Wyoming rank in the top five for pay but have significantly lower living costs. When you are evaluating where to practice, compare the salary against rent, taxes, and daily expenses. The smartest approach is to calculate your net income after cost of living, not just the gross number.

How much do CRNAs make per hour?

The national median hourly rate for CRNAs is $102, with a range from roughly $90 per hour to over $122 per hour in California. Hourly rates are especially relevant if you plan to do locum tenens or per diem work after graduation. Locum CRNAs often earn 20-40% above staff rates because facilities need immediate coverage. Per diem shifts at surgery centers can pay $150+ per hour in competitive markets. Your hourly rate also determines how much overtime and call pay add to your annual total. Even small differences in base hourly rate compound into tens of thousands of dollars over a year.

Do CRNAs make more than doctors?

CRNAs earn a median of $212,650 per year, which is comparable to some primary care physicians and higher than several other medical specialties. The key difference is training time. CRNAs complete a doctoral program in 3 years after their BSN and ICU experience, while physicians complete 4 years of medical school plus 3-7 years of residency. When you factor in years of lost income during training and medical school debt (often $200,000+), the lifetime earnings picture shifts. CRNAs start earning six-figure salaries years before most physicians pay off their loans. That earlier start means more years of compounding savings and investment returns. For nurses weighing advanced practice options, the return on investment for CRNA programs is hard to beat.

How much can new CRNAs expect to make?

New CRNA graduates typically start at 85-95% of the median salary for their area, which means $180,000 to $220,000 in most markets. Some facilities offer signing bonuses of $15,000 to $50,000 on top of base salary, especially in rural or underserved regions. Your first-year earnings depend heavily on where you practice and whether you take call. New grads who are willing to relocate to high-demand areas often out-earn experienced CRNAs in saturated markets. Overtime and weekend differentials can add $20,000-$40,000 to your first-year total. At The CRNA Club, we encourage applicants to think about salary early because it directly affects how you evaluate program tuition and student loan repayment timelines.

What affects CRNA salary?

Geographic location is the single biggest factor in CRNA compensation, with a $42,000+ gap between the highest and lowest-paying states. Urban areas generally pay more, but rural facilities often offer signing bonuses, relocation packages, and loan repayment to attract providers. Practice setting matters too. Hospital-based CRNAs and those in large surgical centers tend to earn more than those in small outpatient clinics. Call requirements can add $20,000-$50,000 per year depending on frequency and pay structure. Years of experience, subspecialty certifications (like cardiac or pediatric anesthesia), and willingness to work nights or weekends all push compensation higher. You can compare programs side by side in The CRNA Club's free School Database.

Is the CRNA job outlook good?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 40% job growth for nurse anesthetists through 2032, which is dramatically faster than the average for all occupations. That growth is fueled by an aging population that needs more surgeries and procedures, plus a persistent shortage of anesthesia providers in rural areas. Many states are expanding CRNA scope of practice, allowing independent practice without physician supervision. This trend opens even more job opportunities and often comes with higher pay. Hospitals and surgery centers are actively competing for CRNAs, which keeps salaries climbing and benefits generous. For ICU nurses considering their next career move, the demand for CRNAs is not slowing down anytime soon.

Are CRNA salaries increasing?

CRNA salaries have risen steadily over the past decade, outpacing inflation and most other nursing specialties. The combination of high demand and limited program capacity (only about 130 accredited programs nationally) creates consistent upward pressure on compensation. Many facilities now offer retention bonuses, annual raises of 3-5%, and enhanced benefits packages to keep CRNAs from leaving. Student loan repayment programs, especially through the AANA and federal programs, add thousands more in effective compensation. Signing bonuses of $25,000+ are increasingly common in competitive markets. The trajectory is clear: CRNA compensation continues to grow as healthcare systems recognize the value anesthesia providers bring.

Our Final Thoughts

Salary data is only useful when it drives real decisions. Before you pick a program based on the state it is in, weigh the tuition against your expected starting salary and cost of living. A $60,000 program in Ohio may put more money in your pocket over 10 years than a $180,000 program in California. Run the numbers for your specific situation.

We built The CRNA Club's free School Database to help you compare programs by tuition, location, and outcomes so you can make these calculations quickly. If you want to see how the costs and salaries balance out for the most affordable programs, start there.

Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Figures represent median annual wages for Nurse Anesthetists (SOC 29-1151). Actual salaries may vary based on experience, employer, and local market conditions.

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