Key points
- The national median CRNA wage is $223,210 (BLS, May 2024). Job-platform postings run lower, between $184,081 and $222,603 a year.
- Illinois pays the most, at a mean of $281,240. Massachusetts and California both clear $250,000.
- Outpatient care centers pay the most by setting, averaging $263,960, ahead of general medical and surgical hospitals at $230,150.
- Texas employs the most CRNAs at 5,390, with large workforces also in California and Florida.
- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA is the top-paying metro at $294,180, followed by Carbondale-Marion, IL and Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH.
What CRNAs earn
CRNA salaries vary by source. Job listing platforms put the range at $184,081 to $222,603 a year. The figure to anchor on is the BLS, which covers the full occupation rather than self-reported postings: the national median was $223,210 in May 2024, up from a mean of $214,200 in the May 2023 release. The state, industry, and metro breakdowns below use the May 2023 geographic data, the most recent full set available.
CRNA salary by state
Pay tracks demand, cost of living, and the local supply of anesthesia providers. The highest-paying states, from BLS May 2023 data:
- Illinois leads at $281,240, a sign of strong demand relative to supply.
- Massachusetts ($272,510) and California ($250,920) follow, driven by high living costs and dense medical infrastructure.
- Montana ($256,460), New York ($256,160), and New Jersey ($252,130) all pay well above the national mean.
- North Carolina ($222,560), Louisiana ($218,770), Texas ($216,280), Colorado ($215,870), and Oregon ($215,260) sit just above the national average, often with lower living costs attached.
Montana stands out: a small population paired with top-tier wages points to acute regional demand. Factor cost of living into any comparison, since the highest-paying states tend to be the most expensive places to live.
Salary by industry
Where a CRNA works changes the paycheck more than most expect.
- Outpatient care centers pay the most, averaging $263,960 a year.
- General medical and surgical hospitals average $230,150 and employ large numbers of CRNAs.
- Specialty hospitals pay $229,980.
- Offices of physicians employ the most CRNAs but pay the least of these settings, at $207,630.
The tradeoff is clear: physician offices offer the most jobs, outpatient centers offer the most money.
Where CRNAs work
Texas employs the most CRNAs at 5,390, with California and Florida also running large workforces. High employment and high pay do not always overlap. Texas and Florida have the jobs; Illinois and California have the top wages.
Top-paying metro areas
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA tops the list at a mean of $294,180, followed by Carbondale-Marion, IL and Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH. Metro pay reflects local demand, cost of living, and how concentrated anesthesia work is in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a CRNA make? The BLS reports a national median wage of $223,210 for nurse anesthetists as of May 2024, which makes CRNAs the highest-paid nursing role in the country.
Which states pay CRNAs the most? From BLS May 2023 geographic data, Illinois leads at a mean of $281,240, followed by Massachusetts ($272,510) and California ($250,920). Montana, New York, and New Jersey also pay well above the national figure.
Do CRNAs out-earn nurse practitioners and nurse midwives? Yes. Among advanced practice nurses, CRNAs earn the most. The BLS May 2024 medians were $223,210 for nurse anesthetists, $129,210 for nurse practitioners, and $128,790 for nurse midwives.
Which settings pay CRNAs the most? Outpatient care centers pay the most, averaging $263,960, ahead of general medical and surgical hospitals at $230,150 and specialty hospitals at $229,980. Physicians' offices employ the most CRNAs but pay the least of these settings, at $207,630 (BLS, May 2023).
Is becoming a CRNA worth it for the pay? The earnings are the highest in nursing, but entry now requires a doctoral degree and one year of critical care RN experience before admission. Weigh the pay against several years of graduate study and the high-stakes nature of the work.
Is CRNA demand growing? Yes. The BLS projects 9% growth for nurse anesthetists from 2024 to 2034, part of a 35% projected increase across the combined APRN category.