The best CRNA job is the one that fits your goals for pay, schedule, autonomy and location. Two jobs with the same salary can feel completely different once you factor in call, staffing model and contract terms.
This guide shows you what to compare. Everything CRNA also lists CRNA jobs for free, for both job seekers and employers.
Start with what you want
Rank these before you look at listings:
- Income: base pay, call pay, bonuses and benefits
- Schedule: daytime only, or shifts and call
- Autonomy: working in a care team, or working independently
- Case mix: broad (trauma, OB, cardiac, pediatrics) or focused
- Location: cost of living, taxes, commute and licensing
Your ranking tells you which settings to target.
Practice settings
AANA lists the settings where CRNAs work. They include hospital operating rooms and delivery rooms, critical access hospitals, surgery centers, and dental, podiatry, ophthalmology, plastic surgery and pain management offices. They also include military, Public Health Service and VA facilities.
Each setting has a different rhythm. See CRNA work-life balance for a side-by-side comparison of schedules and call.
Staffing models
How a practice is staffed shapes your daily work more than almost anything else.
Anesthesia care team (ACT)
An anesthesiologist directs or supervises several CRNAs at once. You may have support for complex cases, and your role in each case can be more limited. Medicare has specific rules about what the directing anesthesiologist must do.
CRNA-only or independent practice
CRNAs provide anesthesia without an anesthesiologist on site. This is common in rural hospitals. AANA says half of US rural hospitals use a CRNA-only model for obstetric care. You make more decisions on your own, so this suits CRNAs who want full use of their training.
Opt-out states
Medicare normally requires CRNAs to be supervised by a physician. States can opt out of that rule. As of September 2026, 27 states plus DC and Guam have opted out, with Utah and Wyoming opting out in part. See our opt-out states page. State law and facility bylaws still apply, so check both.
Pay structures
| Structure | How it works | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Salaried W-2 | Fixed annual pay with benefits | Expected hours, call and overtime rules |
| Hourly W-2 | Paid by the hour with benefits | Guaranteed minimum hours |
| 1099 contract | Hourly or daily rate, no benefits | Taxes, malpractice, cancellations, who bills |
| Locums | Short-term contract, often through an agency | Travel and housing cover, credentialing time |
BLS data shows that pay varies by industry. In May 2025, offices of physicians employed the most nurse anesthetists (mean $245,020), followed by general hospitals (mean $259,350). See CRNA salary for more.
How to read a CRNA contract
Ask for every term in writing. Review these points carefully:
- Hours and call: expected hours, call frequency, and how extra time is paid
- Compensation: base, bonuses, raises and how productivity is measured, if at all
- Benefits: retirement, health insurance, time off, CME money and license fees
- Malpractice: who pays, the limits, and whether tail coverage is included
- Term and termination: notice periods and reasons either side can end the contract
- Non-compete: distance, length and which facilities it covers; rules vary by state
- Bonus repayment: what you owe if you leave early
AANA's employment resources include negotiation guides and a member contract review service. A health care employment lawyer can also review your contract. This is general information, not legal advice.
Questions to ask in the interview
- How many CRNAs and anesthesiologists work here, and what is the staffing ratio on a typical day?
- How is call shared, and how often do days run late?
- What types of cases will I do in my first year?
- How long have most CRNAs been here, and why did the last few leave?
- Can I talk to a CRNA on the team?
Where to find CRNA jobs
- Everything CRNA job listings. Browse current openings on this page. Listings are free to view.
- Your clinical sites. If you are a student, the sites that trained you already know your work.
- AANA MOTION. AANA's career platform lists CRNA jobs.
- State associations and networking. Local CRNAs often hear about openings before they are posted.
Hiring a CRNA?
Everything CRNA lists jobs for free. Post a CRNA job to reach students, new graduates and practicing CRNAs.
FAQ
What is the highest paying CRNA job?
In BLS data, offices of dentists ($287,940 mean) and outpatient care centers ($276,480 mean) had the highest average pay in May 2025. Your actual pay depends on location, call and contract.
Are 1099 CRNA jobs better than W-2?
Neither is better for everyone. 1099 work often pays more per hour, but you cover taxes, benefits and often malpractice. Read our 1099 CRNA guide.
Do I need a separate license to work in another state?
Yes. You need an APRN license or recognition in each state where you practice. See APRN credentialing and licensure by endorsement.