CRNA Salary by State in 2026: The Complete Nurse Anesthetist Compensation Breakdown
By NurseCompensation Research Team · 2026-06-04 · 9 min read
CRNAs are the highest-paid nursing professionals in the country. BLS data shows a mean annual wage of $223,210, but state-level variation spans nearly $100,000. Here is the full picture.
The National Numbers
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) hold the highest-paid position in nursing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 OEWS data):
- Mean annual wage: $223,210
- Median annual wage: $212,650
- 10th percentile: approximately $155,000
- 90th percentile: approximately $270,000+
- Mean hourly wage: $107.31
For comparison, the median for all registered nurses is $93,600 — meaning CRNAs earn approximately 2.3x what a typical staff RN earns.
Highest-Paying States for CRNAs
BLS state-level data shows significant geographic variation:
Top states by mean annual wage:
- Oregon: ~$272,000
- Washington: ~$272,000
- North Dakota: ~$268,000
- Connecticut: ~$263,000
- Wyoming: ~$260,000
- California: ~$258,000
States with lower CRNA pay:
- Tennessee: ~$186,000
- Alabama: ~$183,000
- Mississippi: ~$180,000
The $90,000+ spread between the highest and lowest paying states reflects differences in scope of practice laws, cost of living, physician anesthesiologist supply, and rural vs. urban practice settings.
Why Scope of Practice Laws Drive CRNA Pay
CRNA compensation is strongly influenced by whether a state allows independent practice (opt-out of physician supervision for Medicare cases) or requires anesthesiologist oversight:
- Independent practice states (CRNAs work without anesthesiologist supervision): These states generally pay CRNAs more because the CRNA captures the full anesthesia billing, making them more valuable to the facility.
- Supervision-required states: CRNAs may earn less because facilities must also employ or contract with anesthesiologist oversight, splitting the revenue.
As of 2026, approximately 24 states have opted out of the Medicare physician supervision requirement for CRNAs, allowing nurse anesthetists to practice independently.
Pay by Practice Setting
BLS industry-level data shows significant variation by employer type:
- Outpatient care centers: Highest pay (~$264,000 median)
- Offices of physicians: ~$240,000
- Hospitals (general medical/surgical): ~$215,000
- Offices of dentists: ~$200,000 (often part-time)
CRNAs working in rural settings, locum tenens assignments, or independent practices (where legal) frequently earn above the BLS mean because of scarcity premiums.
The Investment: Cost vs. Return
Becoming a CRNA requires:
- BSN degree (4 years)
- Minimum 1-2 years ICU experience as an RN (most programs prefer 2-3)
- Doctorate (DNP or DNAP) in nurse anesthesia (3-4 years)
Average in-state tuition across ~147 accredited CRNA programs: approximately $117,000 (range: $18,000 to $253,000).
The break-even math: If a CRNA earns $120,000+ more annually than a staff RN, even accounting for 3 years of lost RN income (~$280,000) plus tuition ($117,000), the total investment of ~$397,000 is typically recouped within 3-4 years of CRNA practice.
Job Outlook
BLS projects 38% growth for nurse anesthetists from 2023-2033, dramatically faster than the average for all occupations (4%). This growth is driven by:
- Aging population requiring more surgical procedures
- Rural hospital reliance on CRNAs as sole anesthesia providers
- State scope-of-practice expansions
- Cost pressures favoring CRNAs over anesthesiologist-led care teams
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024), BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (Nurse Anesthetists, updated 2024), TheCRNA.com state salary compilation, Becker's ASC CRNA pay analysis (2024).