Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Salary by State
Compare Certified Nurse Anesthetist salaries across all 51 states. Select a state below for detailed percentile breakdowns, cost-of-living adjustments, and specialty comparisons.
Verified March 2026
by 
sirI, MSN, RN, APRN, NP
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (May 2025; SOC 29-1151)
Certified Nurse Anesthetist Salary & Cost of Living Reality
Median Salary
$236,590
Mean Salary
$248,320
Median Hourly
$113.75
Top State
Alaska
Bottom State
Utah
While Alaska offers the highest raw salary for CRNAs at $341,210, it is crucial to factor in the state's cost of living (COL index of 124.1). When salaries are adjusted for actual purchasing power, the landscape shifts dramatically.
For example, a CRNA in West Virginia making a raw median salary of $278,530 enjoys a COL index of 87.8, effectively giving them a purchasing power of $317,232 compared to the national baseline. States in the South and Midwest often provide a better ratio of income to living expenses, despite appearing lower on the raw salary rankings.
| Rank | State | Median Hourly | Median Annual | COL Adjusted | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $149.57 | $341,210 | $274,948 | +44% |
| 2 | New York | $137.03 | $321,030 | $230,791 | +36% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $145.82 | $295,550 | $224,582 | +25% |
| 4 | California | $136.43 | $292,410 | $205,633 | +24% |
| 5 | New Jersey | $139.87 | $291,350 | $252,908 | +23% |
| 6 | Illinois | $120.96 | $286,830 | $300,031 | +21% |
| 7 | Vermont | $139.36 | $283,060 | $246,353 | +20% |
| 8 | West Virginia | $132.26 | $278,530 | $317,232 | +18% |
| 9 | Montana | $129.96 | $277,380 | $279,617 | +17% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $133.53 | $275,980 | $245,534 | +17% |
| 11 | Washington | $131.61 | $274,390 | $238,393 | +16% |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $130.99 | $273,170 | $293,101 | +15% |
| 13 | Iowa | $121.88 | $273,070 | $305,447 | +15% |
| 14 | Oregon | $134.62 | $272,330 | $239,938 | +15% |
| 15 | Minnesota | $124.62 | $266,190 | $274,423 | +13% |
| 16 | South Carolina | $132.87 | $265,480 | $281,527 | +12% |
| 17 | South Dakota | $120.06 | $263,930 | $281,976 | +12% |
| 18 | Idaho | $127.81 | $263,130 | $264,452 | +11% |
| 19 | Wyoming | $125.31 | $255,250 | $272,412 | +8% |
| 20 | Virginia | $122.51 | $252,110 | $243,585 | +7% |
| 21 | Arizona | $123.37 | $248,660 | $243,307 | +5% |
| 22 | Maine | $124.70 | $247,470 | $221,946 | +5% |
| 23 | Michigan | $122.00 | $247,010 | $270,252 | +4% |
| 24 | Nebraska | $122.89 | $246,730 | $267,024 | +4% |
| 25 | Texas | $122.99 | $244,990 | $264,854 | +4% |
| 26 | North Dakota | $119.51 | $244,240 | $260,106 | +3% |
| 27 | Missouri | $130.66 | $242,630 | $270,189 | +3% |
| 28 | Connecticut | $108.56 | $236,960 | $210,071 | Avg |
| 29 | Ohio | $113.86 | $231,810 | $252,516 | -2% |
| 30 | Delaware | $99.53 | $227,960 | $220,891 | -4% |
| 31 | Georgia | $108.81 | $224,630 | $251,827 | -5% |
| 32 | North Carolina | $109.03 | $224,610 | $238,439 | -5% |
| 33 | Arkansas | $95.45 | $224,280 | $258,090 | -5% |
| 34 | District of Columbia | $107.31 | $223,205 | $146,749 | -6% |
| 35 | Hawaii | $107.31 | $223,205 | $116,253 | -6% |
| 36 | Nevada | $107.31 | $223,205 | $214,208 | -6% |
| 37 | Maryland | $104.83 | $223,140 | $198,877 | -6% |
| 38 | Kentucky | $110.43 | $222,520 | $247,244 | -6% |
| 39 | Louisiana | $116.94 | $222,130 | $241,446 | -6% |
| 40 | Pennsylvania | $112.17 | $221,530 | $225,591 | -6% |
| 41 | Indiana | $99.60 | $215,590 | $238,221 | -9% |
| 42 | Kansas | $99.19 | $212,090 | $242,666 | -10% |
| 43 | Tennessee | $105.23 | $211,450 | $234,424 | -11% |
| 44 | Florida | $115.30 | $210,570 | $204,835 | -11% |
| 45 | Colorado | $103.79 | $199,100 | $189,439 | -16% |
| 46 | Mississippi | $104.55 | $198,410 | $233,974 | -16% |
| 47 | Alabama | $90.92 | $190,300 | $216,005 | -20% |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $91.74 | $156,830 | $179,030 | -34% |
| 49 | Rhode Island | $75.07 | $131,390 | $116,274 | -44% |
| 50 | New Mexico | $72.11 | $129,370 | $138,364 | -45% |
| 51 | Utah | $67.19 | $126,600 | $123,512 | -46% |
What is a Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)?
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is an advanced practice registered nurse who specializes in administering anesthesia and managing pain for patients undergoing surgical, therapeutic, or diagnostic procedures. Functioning as the "central nervous system" of the operating room, a CRNA remains the vigilant guardian of a patient's life while they are in their most vulnerable state. In the trenches of the surgical suite, the clinical weight of this role is felt in the steady modulation of hemodynamics and the split-second titration of potent medications. You are the one who ensures a smooth induction and a safe emergence, balancing high-tech monitoring with a deep, intuitive understanding of human physiology to provide a seamless, pain-free experience.
The path to the CRNA credential is one of the most rigorous in the nursing profession, now requiring a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) from an accredited program. To enter clinical practice, you must pass the National Certification Examination (NCE) administered by the NBCRNA and maintain advanced state licensure. In 2026, our profession is at the cutting edge of healthcare technology; we are now utilizing AI-integrated closed-loop anesthesia delivery systems and advanced ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia to enhance patient outcomes. This modern landscape allows for a more personalized, data-driven approach to perioperative care, placing CRNAs at the forefront of clinical innovation and patient safety.
A CRNA license is a true professional "passport," offering an unparalleled level of career flexibility and autonomy across the healthcare continuum. Whether your passion lies in the high-stakes environment of a Level I Trauma Center, the precision of an outpatient surgical clinic, or the vital mission of a rural hospital where you may be the sole anesthesia provider, your expertise is the currency of the operating suite. Many of us find further fulfillment in clinical leadership, academia, or specialized pain management practices. Because the demand for providers who can master the complexities of anesthesia is universal, this career gives you the power to shape a professional life that has a tangible, life-saving impact every single shift.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median Certified Nurse Anesthetist salary in the US?
The national median salary for a Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is $236,590 per year, or approximately $116.26 per hour based on current BLS data.
Which state pays Certified Nurse Anesthetists the most?
Alaska offers the highest Certified Nurse Anesthetist salary at $341,210 per year, while Utah is the lowest at $126,600.
What is the starting salary for a Certified Nurse Anesthetist?
Entry-level Certified Nurse Anesthetists in the US typically start around the 10th percentile, earning a national median of $168,641. With significant experience, top earners in the 90th percentile can make upwards of $319,420 annually.
Does the highest paying state for CRNAs offer the best standard of living?
Not necessarily. While Alaska offers the highest raw salary at $341,210, its high cost of living means your purchasing power is lower. When adjusted for cost of living, states like West Virginia and Iowa often provide a better financial return for CRNAs.
How much does a Certified Nurse Anesthetist make an hour?
On a national level, a Certified Nurse Anesthetist makes a median of $116.26 per hour. However, depending on the state and facility, this can range from $81.08 for new graduates up to $153.57 for highly experienced directors or specialists.
Does a Certified Nurse Anesthetist make more than a standard Registered Nurse?
Yes, significantly more. While the national median for a standard Registered Nurse is roughly $97,550, a Certified Nurse Anesthetist averages $236,590. This premium compensation reflects the advanced DNP or DNAP degree and specialized clinical training required for the role.
Why does the BLS report data for only some states in specialized nursing roles?
- Sample Size Thresholds: Specialized nursing tracks divide the workforce into small data pools. In smaller or rural states, too few healthcare employers complete the survey to calculate an accurate median wage without an unacceptable margin of error.
- Employer Confidentiality Laws: Federal regulations strictly bar the government from publishing figures that could reveal proprietary corporate payrolls. If a single hospital system or regional practice employs nearly all nurses in a specialty within a state, the BLS redacts the entire state dataset.
- Granular SOC Splitting: Broad classifications like general Registered Nurses or overall Nurse Practitioners generate ample volume across all 50 states. Niche subcategories distribute sample counts too thinly across state lines to clear minimum publishing thresholds.
How can nurses in unlisted states determine local pay?
- Anchor to the Parent Category: Pull the statewide median wage for the core role (such as general RN or aggregate NP), then add the standard regional premium for your clinical certification and acuity level.
- Review Bordering States: Examine pay trends in adjacent states with comparable practice authority laws, union density, and regional cost-of-living metrics.
- Audit Direct Job Postings: Track published salary ranges from regional hospital networks and health systems compliance-reporting under state pay transparency laws.