CRNA Salary by State
By License Guide Team
(RN, MSN)
CRNAs earn an average of $205,000 per year, making them the highest-paid nursing specialty, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2024 data. Top earners exceed $280,000, particularly in rural areas and locum tenens positions.
What is the average CRNA salary in 2026?
According to BLS and AANA salary survey data:
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| National Average | $205,000 |
| Median Salary | $200,000 |
| Entry Level | $175,000-$190,000 |
| Experienced | $220,000-$250,000 |
| Top Earners | $280,000-$350,000+ |
CRNAs rank as the highest-paid nursing specialty and one of the highest-paid non-physician healthcare roles.
Which states pay CRNAs the most?
Top 10 Highest-Paying States
| Rank | State | Average Salary | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | $265,000 | Low |
| 2 | Montana | $255,000 | Low |
| 3 | California | $250,000 | High |
| 4 | Oregon | $245,000 | Medium |
| 5 | Wisconsin | $242,000 | Low |
| 6 | Nevada | $240,000 | Medium |
| 7 | Washington | $238,000 | Medium-High |
| 8 | Connecticut | $235,000 | High |
| 9 | Minnesota | $232,000 | Medium |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $230,000 | Medium |
Cost of Living Adjusted Rankings
When adjusting for cost of living, some states offer better real earning potential:
| Rank | State | Adjusted Value | Why It Ranks Higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | Excellent | High salary, low COL |
| 2 | Montana | Excellent | High salary, low COL |
| 3 | Wisconsin | Excellent | High salary, low COL |
| 4 | Minnesota | Very Good | High salary, medium COL |
| 5 | Iowa | Very Good | Good salary, low COL |
All States Salary Reference
| State | Average Salary | State | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $180,000 | Montana | $255,000 |
| Alaska | $215,000 | Nebraska | $195,000 |
| Arizona | $195,000 | Nevada | $240,000 |
| Arkansas | $175,000 | New Hampshire | $230,000 |
| California | $250,000 | New Jersey | $220,000 |
| Colorado | $210,000 | New Mexico | $200,000 |
| Connecticut | $235,000 | New York | $225,000 |
| Delaware | $205,000 | North Carolina | $190,000 |
| Florida | $185,000 | North Dakota | $210,000 |
| Georgia | $190,000 | Ohio | $200,000 |
| Hawaii | $210,000 | Oklahoma | $185,000 |
| Idaho | $200,000 | Oregon | $245,000 |
| Illinois | $205,000 | Pennsylvania | $195,000 |
| Indiana | $195,000 | Rhode Island | $210,000 |
| Iowa | $198,000 | South Carolina | $185,000 |
| Kansas | $195,000 | South Dakota | $200,000 |
| Kentucky | $185,000 | Tennessee | $185,000 |
| Louisiana | $180,000 | Texas | $190,000 |
| Maine | $205,000 | Utah | $195,000 |
| Maryland | $200,000 | Vermont | $210,000 |
| Massachusetts | $220,000 | Virginia | $195,000 |
| Michigan | $195,000 | Washington | $238,000 |
| Minnesota | $232,000 | West Virginia | $190,000 |
| Mississippi | $175,000 | Wisconsin | $242,000 |
| Missouri | $190,000 | Wyoming | $265,000 |
How does practice setting affect CRNA salary?
Hospital Employment
Most CRNAs work in hospital settings:
| Hospital Type | Salary Range | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Large academic medical center | $185,000-$220,000 | Excellent benefits, retirement |
| Community hospital | $190,000-$230,000 | Good benefits, less call |
| Rural hospital | $210,000-$260,000 | Often higher base, loan repayment |
| VA hospital | $180,000-$210,000 | Federal benefits, pension |
| Children’s hospital | $190,000-$225,000 | Specialty experience |
Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC)
ASCs often offer competitive pay with better hours:
| ASC Type | Salary Range | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-specialty ASC | $200,000-$240,000 | Weekdays, no call |
| Single-specialty ASC | $195,000-$230,000 | Predictable hours |
| Ophthalmology center | $190,000-$220,000 | High volume, fast cases |
| GI center | $185,000-$215,000 | Short cases, high volume |
| Orthopedic ASC | $200,000-$245,000 | Regional expertise valued |
Locum Tenens (Travel CRNA)
Locum tenens offers the highest earning potential:
| Contract Type | Hourly Rate | Annual Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Standard locum | $150-$175/hr | $280,000-$330,000 |
| Critical need | $175-$225/hr | $330,000-$400,000 |
| Rural assignment | $180-$250/hr | $340,000-$450,000 |
| Holiday coverage | $200-$300/hr | Premium rates |
Locum considerations:
- No benefits (must self-fund retirement, insurance)
- Travel and licensing costs
- Variable schedule and locations
- High burnout risk
Independent Practice/Group
In states with full practice authority:
| Practice Model | Salary Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CRNA-owned group | $220,000-$300,000 | Higher risk/reward |
| Hospital contract group | $210,000-$260,000 | Stable contracts |
| Office-based anesthesia | $200,000-$280,000 | Cosmetic, dental |
How does experience affect CRNA salary?
Career Salary Progression
| Experience | Salary Range | Factors |
|---|---|---|
| New graduate | $170,000-$185,000 | May require supervision period |
| 1-3 years | $180,000-$200,000 | Building efficiency and skills |
| 4-7 years | $195,000-$220,000 | Independent practice, may specialize |
| 8-15 years | $210,000-$250,000 | Expertise premium, leadership roles |
| 15+ years | $230,000-$280,000+ | Top of scale, consulting options |
Specialty Experience Premium
Certain subspecialty skills command higher salaries:
| Specialty | Premium | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiac anesthesia | +10-15% | High acuity, specialized skills |
| Pediatric anesthesia | +5-10% | Specialized training required |
| OB anesthesia | +5-10% | High demand, call coverage |
| Regional anesthesia | +5-10% | Nerve block expertise valued |
| Pain management | +10-20% | Chronic pain clinic work |
Compensation Structure
Base Salary vs. Total Compensation
CRNA compensation often includes:
| Component | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Base salary | $180,000-$220,000 |
| Call pay | $20,000-$60,000 |
| Overtime | Variable |
| Bonuses | $5,000-$30,000 |
| Sign-on bonus | $10,000-$50,000 |
| Relocation | $5,000-$15,000 |
| CME allowance | $2,000-$5,000 |
| Student loan repayment | $10,000-$50,000 (some positions) |
Benefits Value
Don’t overlook benefits when comparing offers:
| Benefit | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Health insurance | $8,000-$25,000 |
| Retirement match | $10,000-$20,000 |
| Malpractice insurance | $3,000-$8,000 |
| Paid time off | $15,000-$25,000 |
| CME time + allowance | $5,000-$10,000 |
Total compensation often exceeds base salary by $40,000-$80,000.
What factors affect CRNA compensation?
Geographic Factors
- Cost of living — High-COL areas pay more but net less
- Rural vs. urban — Rural areas often pay premiums
- State practice authority — Independent practice states may pay differently
- Regional competition — Areas with more CRNA programs may have lower wages
Practice Factors
- Call requirements — More call = higher compensation
- Case complexity — Trauma, cardiac, pediatric command premiums
- Supervision model — ACT vs. independent affects some salaries
- Volume — High-volume practices may offer productivity bonuses
Market Factors
- CRNA shortage — High demand areas pay more
- Anesthesiologist availability — Fewer MDs = higher CRNA demand
- Healthcare system finances — Well-funded systems pay better
- Union presence — Some union positions have higher wages
How can I maximize my CRNA salary?
Negotiation Strategies
- Research market rates — Know your state and setting averages
- Total compensation focus — Negotiate beyond base salary
- Highlight experience — Specialty skills have value
- Consider alternatives — Locums, PRN work for leverage
- Get offers in writing — Compare complete packages
Career Moves That Increase Salary
- Geographic relocation — Rural and underserved areas pay premiums
- Specialty training — Cardiac, peds, regional expertise
- PRN/locums work — Supplement W-2 income
- Leadership roles — Chief CRNA positions pay more
- Independent practice — In states with FPA
Salary Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring total compensation — Benefits matter significantly
- Not negotiating — First offers are rarely final
- Overlooking call burden — High call impacts quality of life
- Chasing only salary — Work environment matters for longevity
- Signing long contracts — Market changes; keep flexibility
CRNA vs. Other Careers
Comparison with Anesthesiologists
| Factor | CRNA | Anesthesiologist |
|---|---|---|
| Education | 7-8 years post-high school | 12+ years |
| Average salary | $205,000 | $350,000 |
| Student debt | $100,000-$200,000 | $200,000-$400,000 |
| Earning years | Start earning by ~29-30 | Start earning by ~34-36 |
| Lifetime earnings | Lower but earlier | Higher but later |
Comparison with Other APRNs
| Role | Average Salary | Education |
|---|---|---|
| CRNA | $205,000 | DNP required (most programs) |
| CNM | $120,000 | Master’s or DNP |
| NP | $118,000 | Master’s or DNP |
| CNS | $95,000 | Master’s or DNP |
CRNAs consistently earn $80,000-$100,000 more than other APRNs.
Job Market Outlook
Current Demand
- Job growth: 40%+ through 2032
- Open positions: 4,000+ nationally at any time
- Time to fill: Many positions open 6+ months
- Unemployment rate: Near 0% for CRNAs
Future Trends
Positive factors:
- Aging population needs more surgeries
- Anesthesiologist shortage
- Healthcare expansion
- Cost pressure favoring CRNAs
Potential challenges:
- Supervision debates continue
- Medical lobby opposition
- Reimbursement changes
- Increased CRNA program enrollment
Getting Started
Interested in the CRNA career path?
Next Steps
- Understand requirements — How to Become a CRNA
- Check state licensing — CRNA Requirements by State
- Review state requirements — CRNA Licensing by State
- Calculate your investment — Consider education costs vs. earning potential
ROI Calculation
| Factor | Amount |
|---|---|
| CRNA program cost | $100,000-$200,000 |
| Lost wages (3 years) | $180,000-$240,000 |
| Total investment | $280,000-$440,000 |
| CRNA salary increase | $100,000+/year over RN |
| Payback period | 3-5 years |
The CRNA investment pays off quickly and continues paying dividends throughout a 30+ year career.
Summary
CRNA salaries are among the highest in nursing and healthcare. With average earnings exceeding $200,000 and opportunities in virtually every state, the CRNA career offers exceptional financial rewards. Geographic flexibility, locum tenens work, and specialty experience can push salaries well above $250,000.
When evaluating opportunities, consider total compensation, work-life balance, and long-term career satisfaction alongside base salary. The highest-paying position isn’t always the best fit for your goals and lifestyle.
About the Author
LG
License Guide Team
RN MSN
Clinical Editorial Team
Our editorial team includes licensed nurses and healthcare professionals dedicated to providing accurate, up-to-date nursing licensure information sourced directly from state boards of nursing.