The BLS mean salary for CRNAs is $223,210–$231,700 per year, making them the highest-paid nursing professionals in the United States by a wide margin. But that national number hides enormous variation. A CRNA practicing independently at a rural critical access hospital in Montana can earn $256,000+, while a CRNA in a supervised care team model in Utah might earn $126,000. Your state, your setting, your practice authority, and your experience level matter far more than the national average.
This guide breaks down what CRNAs are actually earning in 2026 and gives you the numbers you need to compare offers honestly.
The national picture
- BLS mean annual: $223,210–$231,700 for nurse anesthetists nationally.
- Mean hourly: roughly $107–$111/hr.
- Top decile: over $275,000/year, concentrated in full practice authority states, rural hospitals, and locum tenens positions.
- Bottom decile: $126,000–$150,000, mostly in restricted practice authority states and entry-level positions at large hospital systems with fixed salary scales.
For the most current numbers, search “BLS OEWS nurse anesthetists” — that is the dataset every other site republishes. Indeed and ZipRecruiter numbers tend to skew higher because they oversample listings from facilities trying to attract candidates in competitive markets.
By state: where the money is
| State | BLS mean salary | Practice authority | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $281,000 | Full | Highest-paying state. Chicago metro drives volume; rural IL has strong demand. |
| Massachusetts | $273,000 | Reduced | High cost of living but premium pay at Boston-area hospitals. |
| Montana | $256,000 | Full | Rural state with sole-provider positions. Strong demand, premium compensation. |
| Oregon | $254,000 | Full | Full practice authority with strong rural demand. |
| Wyoming | $251,000 | Full | Low population, high CRNA need. Sole-provider rural positions. |
| California | $246,000 | Restricted | High salaries offset by high cost of living and supervision requirements. |
| Connecticut | $243,000 | Reduced | Smaller state with concentrated hospital systems. |
| Nevada | $240,000 | Full | Las Vegas metro and rural Nevada both pay well. |
| New Jersey | $238,000 | Reduced | Dense hospital market. High volume positions. |
| Washington | $235,000 | Full | Full practice authority. Seattle metro and eastern WA rural positions. |
| Utah | $126,000 | Restricted | Lowest-paying state. Restricted practice authority, lower cost of living. |
The pattern is clear: full practice authority states pay more. This is not coincidental. When CRNAs practice independently, they deliver more value per hour to the facility because they do not require an anesthesiologist’s oversight. That economic reality translates directly into higher compensation.
By setting
| Setting | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rural / critical access hospital | $230k–$280k | Highest compensation. Sole provider, full autonomy, 24/7 call. Signing bonuses and loan repayment common. |
| Level 1 trauma center | $210k–$260k | High acuity, diverse case mix. Academic medical centers may pay less but offer teaching opportunities. |
| Ambulatory surgery center (ASC) | $200k–$250k | High volume, lower acuity. Predictable schedule. No call at many ASCs. |
| Community hospital (100–300 beds) | $200k–$240k | Varied case mix. Moderate call burden. Good balance of autonomy and support. |
| OB-only / L&D | $195k–$240k | Labor epidurals, C-section anesthesia. High-demand subspecialty. |
| Pain management clinic | $180k–$230k | Interventional pain procedures. No call. Regular hours. |
| Academic medical center (teaching) | $180k–$220k | Lower base pay but SRNA teaching, research opportunities, and benefits packages. |
By experience
| Experience level | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New grad (0–2 years) | $136k–$190k | Starting salaries vary widely by location. Rural positions pay new grads more than urban ones. |
| Mid-career (3–7 years) | $200k–$240k | The biggest salary jump happens in years 2–4 as you build case volume and negotiate based on experience. |
| Senior (8–15 years) | $224k–$270k | Peak earning years. Leadership roles (chief CRNA), subspecialty expertise, and locum work push compensation higher. |
| Late career (15+ years) | $220k–$260k | Plateau or slight decline as some shift to less demanding settings, fewer call hours, or part-time schedules. |
CRNA vs. anesthesiologist: the compensation gap
Anesthesiologists earn a BLS mean of $350,000–$400,000+. The CRNA-to-anesthesiologist salary ratio is roughly 60–65%. However, the training investment is dramatically different:
- CRNA path: BSN (4 years) + ICU (1–3 years) + DNP/DNAP (3 years) = 8–10 years total.
- Anesthesiologist path: Pre-med (4 years) + medical school (4 years) + anesthesiology residency (4 years) + optional fellowship (1 year) = 12–13 years total.
CRNAs earn 60–65% of anesthesiologist pay with roughly 50% of the training time and significantly less educational debt. The ROI on education time is arguably better for CRNAs, especially given 35% projected growth and strong demand in full practice authority states.
Full practice authority premium
CRNAs in full practice authority states earn an estimated $20,000–$40,000 more than comparable CRNAs in restricted practice authority states. The premium is highest in rural settings where CRNAs are the sole anesthesia providers. Facilities pay more because they get more: an independent provider who can manage all anesthesia services without an anesthesiologist on-site.
If you are choosing where to practice and compensation is a priority, full practice authority states with rural demand — Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, Nevada, North Dakota, Alaska — offer the best combination of high pay, full autonomy, and strong demand.
Locum tenens rates
Locum tenens (temporary assignment) CRNAs earn premium hourly rates:
- Standard locum rate: $150–$200/hour.
- Premium/urgent fill: $200–$250+/hour.
- Holiday and last-minute coverage: $250–$350/hour in some markets.
- Annualized: A full-time locum CRNA working 40 hours/week can earn $300,000–$500,000+ before taxes, though this does not include benefits, malpractice (often provided by the agency), or retirement contributions.
Locum work is especially lucrative for experienced CRNAs with broad case expertise who can adapt quickly to new facilities and AIMS systems. The trade-off is travel, no employer-sponsored benefits, and variable schedule predictability.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average CRNA salary in 2026?
The BLS mean salary is $223,210–$231,700 per year (~$107–$111/hour). This makes CRNAs the highest-paid nursing role in the United States. Actual take-home varies enormously by state, setting, and practice authority.
Which states pay CRNAs the most?
Illinois ($281k), Massachusetts ($273k), and Montana ($256k) are the top-paying states. The lowest-paying state is Utah at approximately $126k. Full practice authority states tend to pay more, especially in rural settings where CRNAs are sole providers.
Do CRNAs make more than anesthesiologists?
No. Anesthesiologists earn a BLS mean of $350k–$400k+. However, the CRNA-to-anesthesiologist salary ratio is roughly 60–65%, while the training time ratio is about 50%. CRNAs have a significantly better ROI on education time and carry less educational debt.
How much do locum tenens CRNAs make?
Locum tenens CRNAs typically earn $150–$250+ per hour, translating to $300k–$500k+ annualized for full-time locum work. Rates spike for holiday coverage, remote locations, and last-minute assignments. No employer benefits are typically included.