Careers
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Salary by State and Workplace
Certified registered nurse anesthetists earn the highest pay among advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisti…
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Certified registered nurse anesthetists earn the highest pay among advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, May 2024), CRNAs earn a mean annual wage of $223,210 and a median of about $212,650. Only anesthesiologists earn more within anesthesia care. Where you work and where you live both move that number significantly.
CRNA Salaries by Workplace
Setting has a large effect on pay. The figures below are average annual wages by industry, ranked highest to lowest, per BLS data.
| Employer | Average annual wage |
|---|---|
| Outpatient care centers (ambulatory surgical centers, pain management clinics) | $263,960 |
| General medical and surgical hospitals (hospital suites, labor and delivery, public health centers) | $234,250 |
| Specialty hospitals (critical access, surgical centers, military and veterans' hospitals) | $229,980 |
| Physicians' offices (podiatry, sports medicine clinics) | $214,890 |
| Colleges and universities (campus clinics, teaching hospitals, administration) | $211,540 |
| Offices of other health practitioners (dental offices, CNM group practices, ophthalmology) | $124,450 |
Salary by Location
Where you live also shapes your earning power. Top-paying states tend to be those with rural areas where it is harder to attract healthcare workers and, in many cases, full practice authority for CRNAs. The specific ranking shifts year to year, so check current BLS state data for the latest figures before making a decision based on location.
Other Benefits and Perks
Beyond competitive salaries, many employers also cover:
- Continuing education required to maintain CRNA certification
- Leadership training to help CRNAs advance
- Malpractice insurance, which runs roughly $4,000 a year for fulltime CRNAs and about $2,200 for parttime
Travel work is another option. Because CRNAs are needed in nearly every setting, you can take short-term assignments lasting two to six months. Depending on demand from shortages, unfilled positions, leaves, or emergencies, travel CRNAs can often choose assignments by location and specialty, and they typically receive above-average pay plus paid housing and untaxed stipends.