Nurse anesthetists earned a mean of $248,320 a year ($119.38 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median was $236,590, meaning half earned more and half earned less.
These are the most recent official figures. Below, we explain the full pay range, what pushes pay up or down, and what the numbers leave out.
The national pay range
BLS reports wages by percentile for the 51,840 nurse anesthetists in its May 2025 survey.
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $155,250 | $74.64 |
| 25th | $206,730 | $99.39 |
| 50th (median) | $236,590 | $113.75 |
| 75th | $294,350 | $141.51 |
| 90th | $339,500 | $163.22 |
The middle half of CRNAs earned between $206,730 and $294,350. The spread is wide because pay depends heavily on location, setting and workload.
Pay by work setting
Most nurse anesthetists work in two industries:
- Offices of physicians: 26,270 jobs, mean $245,020. This category includes many anesthesia groups.
- General medical and surgical hospitals: 16,620 jobs, mean $259,350.
The highest average pay was in smaller settings:
- Offices of dentists: mean $287,940
- Outpatient care centers: mean $276,480
Higher averages in a category do not guarantee a higher offer. These settings employ fewer CRNAs, and their jobs can differ in hours and call.
What drives CRNA pay
Location
Pay varies a lot between states and metro areas, and between urban and rural employers. Cost of living and state income tax also change what you take home. See CRNA salary by state and CRNA salary by city.
Setting and case mix
Hospitals with trauma, cardiac or OB services need round-the-clock coverage. Surgery centers and offices usually run daytime schedules. Pay reflects those differences.
Call and overtime
Call is often paid separately, as a stipend or an hourly rate. Two jobs with the same base salary can pay very differently once call is included. Read CRNA work-life balance for how call works.
W-2 vs 1099
Employed (W-2) CRNAs receive a salary or hourly wage plus benefits. Independent (1099) contractors usually earn a higher rate, but they pay for their own benefits, insurance and both sides of payroll taxes. Compare offers on total value after those costs. See our 1099 CRNA guide.
Experience and role
Leadership, chief CRNA and education roles may come with different pay. BLS does not report pay by years of experience, so new graduates should read CRNA starting salary for how to judge a first offer.
Limits of the BLS data
BLS data is the most reliable public source, but it has gaps you should know about:
- Employees only. The survey counts wage and salary workers. Self-employed CRNAs and many 1099 contractors are not included.
- Not total compensation. BLS wage figures leave out employer-paid benefits and some types of extra pay. Check BLS's own definitions for detail.
- A snapshot in time. May 2025 data was released in 2026. Pay may have moved since then.
- Missing areas. BLS did not publish May 2025 nurse anesthetist estimates for Delaware, DC, Hawaii, Nevada or Puerto Rico.
- Averages hide variation. A single number cannot capture call, setting or contract terms.
Use BLS figures as a starting point, then compare real offers in the area where you want to work.
Job outlook
The BLS projects nurse anesthetist employment to grow 10% from 2025 to 2035, from about 54,500 to 59,800 jobs.
FAQ
How much does a CRNA make an hour?
The BLS mean was $119.38 an hour in May 2025. The median was $113.75.
What is the highest paying setting for CRNAs?
In May 2025, offices of dentists had the highest mean pay at $287,940, followed by outpatient care centers at $276,480.
Do CRNAs make more than nurse practitioners?
Yes, on average. The BLS median for nurse anesthetists was $236,590 in May 2025. The median for the combined group of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners was $134,920.