The Nurse Anesthetist profession is complicated, so it makes sense that they would receive a good salary after completing eight years of training.
Nonetheless, if you are curious to know how much Nurse Anesthetists are paid, this guide will reveal a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) salary according to state, based on experience and the work environment.
Furthermore, we’ll look into how much a CRNA gets compared to other types of Nurses.
After reading this guide, you will be better informed on the CRNA average salary and ultimately what you could expect to get paid.
This guide will cover:
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Salary by State
- CRNA Salary in comparison to other Nurses
- Ways to make more income as a CRNA
Let’s dive straight into it!
What is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist?
Many people often do not know that Nurse Anesthetists undergo several years of training to acquire the skills, knowledge, and judgment to assess a patient’s response to anesthesia, administer anesthetic to patients, and support patients till their medical procedures are complete.
Due to their integral role and the years of training involved in becoming a CRNA, CRNAs are among the highest-paid Nursing professionals.
In the following subsections, we will shed some light on how much CRNAs get paid and how factors such as work experience and work environment influence a CRNA’s salary.
CRNA Starting Salary
According to ZipRecruiter, an entry-level CRNA makes about $161 576 annually.
While $161 576 may be the national average annual entry-level salary, an in-depth look into the data recorded by ZipRecruiter reveals that the majority of entry-level CRNAs in the U.S. make an average salary of $93 000.
The salary of the 75th percentile ranged at about $215 500 annually.
Finally, a top earner entry-level- CRNA was recorded to have earned as much as $260 000 per annum.
Considering the significant disparity in earnings between entry-level CRNAs, it is only reasonable to conclude that factors like skill level, work environment, and even years of experience (i.e., taking part in an internship or volunteering) influence an entry-level CRNA’s earnings.
That being said, let’s look at how experience, education, and work environment impact a CRNAs salary.
CRNA Salary based on experience
According to PayScale, an entry-level CRNA with less than one year of experience could be compensated $149 675 annually.
CRNAs with 1 to 4 years worth of work experience could earn an annual average of $153 075.
Mid-career CRNAs with about 5-9 years of experience might make $164 550, while an experienced CRNA (10-19 years) could earn an annual average of $186 894.
CRNA Salary based on education
Recently the requirement to become a CRNA has been amended.
Apart from getting a Bachelor’s degree (BSN Degree) in a related Nursing field and a Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN), it’s now mandatory for CRNAs to get a Doctorate degree.
According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA), Nurse Anesthetists will need to hold at least a Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Education, or Doctor of Nursing qualification to practice as a CRNA.
Hence, not only does securing a high-paying CRNA job rely on you holding one of these, you need to have a doctorate to begin practicing in the first place.
CRNA Salary based on the work environment
In addition to the years of work experience, a CRNA may have, the healthcare settings that CRNAs choose to work for the impact the amount of salary a CRNA will bank at the end of the month.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Nurse Anesthetists who work in Outpatient Care centers receive the highest salary, earning about $224 810 per annum, or $108.08 by the hour.
Next, Home Health care services, which is patient care provided in a patient’s home, are the second-highest payers of CRNAs, offering an average salary of $210 670 or $ 101.21 per hour.
Specialized CRNAs who administer anesthetics for specialties such as plastic surgery or labor and delivery earn an average salary of $201 220 or an average hourly wage of $96.74.
However, psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals are excluded from the specialty industries. Should you choose to work in Colleges, Universities, or other professional schools, you’d be working for the fourth top paying CRNA industry, which pays CRNAs an average of $197 700 or $95.05 per hour.
Lastly, amongst the top 5 paying CRNA health care facilities or industries are general medical and surgical hospitals, paying CRNAs an average annual salary of $196 530 or an annual mean wage of $94.49.
In the next section, we look at the average Nurse Anesthetist salary according to state.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Salary by State
In addition to CRNA’s salary differing according to the level of experience, skills, and even type of health care setting, CRNA salaries further vary according to state.
What’s more, the state-influenced salary variances don’t come from the state-specific cost of living, and neither is it influenced by whether you work in a remote location, like a rural area.
Instead, the procedures and actions that CRNAS are permitted to undertake in varying states determine the overall CRNA salary in that state.
Using data mainly from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, we’ve compiled a list detailing the amount Nurse Anesthetists earn in each state.
Alabama
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Alabama earns an annual mean salary of $170 560, which works out to $82.00 an hour.
Alaska
While BLS provides no data regarding the CRNA salary in Alaska, ZipRecruiter found that Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist earns an annual mean wage of $202 804, which works out to $95 an hour.
Arizona
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Arizona earns an annual mean salary of $173 460, which pays $83.40 an hour.
Arkansas
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Arkansas earns an annual mean salary of $167 030, which works out to $80.30 an hour.
California
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in California earns an annual mean salary of $205 360, which pays $98.73 an hour.
Colorado
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Colorado earns an annual mean salary of $175 760, which pays $84.50 an hour.
Connecticut
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Connecticut earns an annual mean salary of $217 360, which pays $104.50 an hour.
Delaware
According to ZipRecruiter, a CRNA in Delaware earns an annual mean salary of $202 804, which pays $87 an hour.
District of Columbia
BLS does not record CRNA salaries in the District of Columbia, but ZipRecruiter reports that the average annual salary is $202 804, or $98/hour.
Florida
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Florida earns an annual mean salary of $176 760, which works out to $84.98 an hour.
Georgia
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist earns an annual mean salary of $179 630, which works out to $86.36 an hour.
Hawaii
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist earns an annual mean salary of $201 930, which works out to $97.08 an hour.
Idaho
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist earns an annual mean salary of $156 250, which works out to $75.12 an hour.
Illinois
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Illinois earns an annual mean salary of $194 950, which pays $93.73 an hour.
Indiana
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Indiana earns an annual mean salary of $169 620, which works out to $81.55 an hour.
Iowa
The average salary for a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Iowa is $198 480, or $95.43 per hour.
Kansas
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Kansas earns an annual mean salary of $167 700, paying $80.63 an hour.
Kentucky
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Kentucky earns an annual mean salary of $163 700, paying $98.70 an hour.
Louisiana
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Louisiana earns an annual mean salary of $161 310, which works out to $77.55 an hour.
Maine
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Maine earns an annual mean salary of $198 940, which works out to $95.64 an hour.
Maryland
In Maryland, a CRNA earns an annual mean salary of $182 780, which works out to $87.88 an hour.
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, a CRNA earns an annual mean salary of $195 900, which pays $94.18 an hour.
Michigan
In Michigan, a CRNA earns an annual mean salary of $199 870, which works out to $96.09 an hour.
Minnesota
In Minnesota, a CRNA earns an annual mean salary of $216 050, which works out to $103.87 an hour.
Mississippi
In Mississippi, a CRNA earns an annual mean salary of $174 540, which works out to $83.92 an hour.
Missouri
In Missouri, a CRNA earns an annual mean salary of $189 610, which pays $91.16 an hour.
Montana
In Montana, a CRNA earns an annual mean salary of $216 420, which works out to $104.05 an hour.
Nebraska
In Nebraska, a CRNA earns an annual mean salary of $176 880, which works out to $85.04 an hour.
Nevada
In Nevada, a CRNA earns an annual mean salary of $223 680, which works out to $107.54 an hour.
New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, a CRNA earns an annual mean salary of $197 570, which works out to $94.99 an hour.
New Jersey
In New Jersey, a CRNA earns an annual mean salary of $207 500, which works out to $99.76 an hour.
New Mexico
CRNAs in New Mexico earn a mean annual salary of $164 980, which works out to $79.32 an hour.
New York
A CRNA in New York earns a mean annual salary of $217 050 per year or $104.35 per hour.
North Carolina
A CRNA in North Carolina makes an annual mean salary of $192 830, or $92.33 per hour.
North Dakota
A CRNA in North Dakota makes an annual mean salary of $192 050, or $93.76 per hour.
Ohio
A CRNA in Ohio makes an annual mean salary of $190 120, or $91.40 per hour.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s average CRNA salary is $179 410 annually, or $86.25 an hour.
Oregon
A CRNA in Oregon makes an annual mean salary of $236 540, or $113.72 per hour.
Pennsylvania
A CRNA in Pennsylvania makes an annual mean salary of $185 090, or $88.99 per hour.
Rhode Island
A CRNA in Rhode Island makes an annual mean salary of $171 340, or $80 per hour.
South Carolina
A CRNA in South Carolina makes an annual mean salary of $185 850, or $89.35 per hour.
South Dakota
A CRNA in South Dakota makes an annual mean salary of $190 660, or $91.66 per hour.
Tennessee
A CRNA in Tennessee makes an annual mean salary of $171 020, or $82.22 per hour.
Texas
A CRNA in Texas makes an annual mean salary of $180 380, or $86.72 per hour.
Utah
A CRNA in Utah makes an annual mean salary of $127 130, or $61.12 per hour.
Vermont
A CRNA in Vermont makes an annual mean salary of $179.180, or $86.15 per hour.
Virginia
A CRNA in Virginia makes an annual mean salary of $189 780, or $91.24 per hour.
Washington
A CRNA in Washington earns an annual mean salary of $197 740, or $95.07 per hour.
West Virginia
A CRNA in West Virginia makes an annual mean salary of $187 430, or $90.11 per hour.
Wisconsin
A CRNA in Wisconsin makes an annual mean salary of $231 520, or $111.31 per hour.
Wyoming
A CRNA in Wyoming makes an annual mean salary of $231 250, or $111.18 per hour.
CRNA Salary in comparison to other Nurses
As mentioned earlier in this guide, Nursing anesthetists tend to earn more than other Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and other nursing healthcare professionals.
To understand just what this means numerically speaking, we look at the salary of Nurses in other specialties.
- Nurse Anesthetist
Based on data recorded by BLS, Nurse Anesthetists earn an average yearly salary of $189 900, or $90.96 per hour.
- Physician Assistant
A Physician’s assistant earns significantly less than a Nurse Anesthetist, obtaining an annual average salary of $115 390, or $55.48 per hour.
- Nurse Midwife
Nurse MIdwives earn just about the same as Physician Assistants, obtaining $115 540 per annum, or $55.55 per hour.
- Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioners earn a mean annual wage of $114 510, or $55.05 per hour.
- Clinical Nurse Specialist & Registered Nurse
BLS classifies a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) as an R.N., hence we’ve put the two professions together. Both RNs and CNSs earn $75 330 in a year or $36.22 per hour.
- Anesthesiologist
Although an Anesthesiologist isn’t a nurse, we’ve added it to this list due to the similarity in career paths.
A full-time Anesthesiologist earns an average mean wage of $271 440, or $ 130.50 per hour, higher than a CRNA.
Despite CRNAs earning significantly higher than all other Nursing specialties, there is still an opportunity to increase your salary potential to way above the national average.
We will explain how in the next section.
Ways to make more income as a CRNA
If you’ve been a CRNA in the industry for a long time, or have ever spoken to an experienced CRNA, then you might know that apart from having substantial education, a significant amount of work experience, or working in a high paying industry, there are a few tricks up an informed CRNAs sleeves to potentially increase their earning potential.
We share these with you below:
- Acquire administrative experience
With Anesthesia Departments often needing Managers or Directors to manage the administrative part of the job, CRNA could potentially increase their income by offering to assist in administrative duties.
Before you know it, you’ll be asked to work at the management level and will be paid more for it.
- Switch up practice locations
As mentioned, different healthcare settings offer varying pay potential, with some being higher than others.
Should you feel you’re not being paid enough where you currently work, why not try switching up to a healthcare facility that pays significantly higher.
For example, facilities in rural areas tend to pay higher.
- Pursue an hourly wage
It may be easier to get additional pay for working late nights, weekend shifts, or critical shifts when you are paid hourly rather than when you are salaried.
Choosing hourly pay over salaried pay could potentially increase your income.
Conclusion
Choosing to become a Nurse Anesthetist is already a great career option.
However, knowing that a CRNA earning potential is much higher than any other Nursing profession makes the career choice seem all the more rewarding.
In this guide, we went over data provided by BLS and various recruitment platforms to establish the differences in Nurse Anesthetist salaries.
After reading this guide, we hope that you understand what a CRNA can expect to receive as a salary according to state and other influential factors.
Good luck!
FAQs
What does a Nurse Anesthetist make?
According to ZipRecruiter, based on data taken from January 2022, the 25th percentile of CRNAs earns $167 500, while the 75th percentile earns about $238 500. Finally, top earners considered in the 90th percentile earn an average annual salary of $266 500.
How much do nurse anesthetists make an hour?
Based on the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for a Nurse Anesthetist is $90.96. The mean hourly average may vary across states and healthcare employers. Furthermore, your educational and work experience may increase your hourly income.
What is the annual salary of a nurse anesthetist?
The average yearly wage of a Nurse Anesthetist is $189 190. From data recorded by BLS, around 41 960 Nurse Anesthetists in the U.S. reportedly make around this amount each year.
What is the average salary of a nurse anesthetist?
The average Nurse Anesthetist’s yearly salary is $189 190 which pays $90.96 per hour.
What is the highest-paid nurse anesthetist?
A top-earning entry-level Nurse Anesthetist makes $260 000 annually. An overall (irrespective of experience) top-earning Nurse Anesthetist makes $266 500 annually.
What is the starting salary for a nurse anesthetist?
ZipRecruiter observed that most entry-level Nurse Anesthetists earned $93 000 per year. However, it also recorded salaries as low as $23 000 to as high as $266 000 annually for entry-level CRNAs.
Do CRNAs make more than Doctors?
According to data provided by BLS, Physicians, Surgeons, and all others earn $218 850 annually. While the average CRNA SALARY IS $189 190, some CRNAs can make up to $266 500. Hence, yes, CRNAs can earn more than doctors.
