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Nurse anesthetist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$236,590median pay per year, or $113.75 an hour, May 2025[2]
  1. $155,250lowest 10% earn less
  2. $206,73025th percentile
  3. $236,590median
  4. $294,35075th percentile
  5. $339,500top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Nurse anesthetists are registered nurses with graduate training who give anesthesia and look after patients as they recover from it[1]. The median pay was $236,590 a year in May 2025[2], and BLS expects jobs to rise 9.7% between 2025 and 2035[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+9.7%[3]
Openings per year
2,400[6]
Typical entry education
Master's degree[7]

How much do nurse anesthetists make?

The median wage for nurse anesthetists was $236,590 a year, or $113.75 an hour, in May 2025[2]. Half of workers earned more than that and half earned less. The average (mean) was a bit higher, at $248,320 a year and $119.38 an hour[8]. For comparison, the median for all US occupations was $50,980 a year[5].

Pay covers a wide range[4][9]:

Where in the range Per year Per hour
Lowest-paid 10% earned less than[4][9] $155,250 $74.64
25th percentile[4][9] $206,730 $99.39
Median[2] $236,590 $113.75
75th percentile[4][9] $294,350 $141.51
Top 10% earned more than[4][9] $339,500 $163.22

BLS does not publish a starting salary. These figures count wage and salary workers only, so self-employed nurse anesthetists are left out, and benefits are not included[2][10].

Pay by state and city

Location makes a big difference. Among states with published data, Alaska had the highest median pay at $341,210, followed by New York ($321,030), Massachusetts ($295,550), California ($292,410) and New Jersey ($291,350)[11]. Keep in mind that Alaska's figure rests on only about 90 jobs[11]. At the other end of the list, Utah ($126,600) and New Mexico ($129,370) had the lowest state medians[11].

The most jobs are in Florida (4,600), Texas (4,060), North Carolina (3,340), Pennsylvania (2,500) and New York (2,450)[12]. A large job count does not always mean top pay. Florida's state median was $210,570[11], yet the Jacksonville, FL metro area topped the metro list at $416,000[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the best-paying were Jacksonville, FL ($416,000), the New York-Newark-Jersey City area ($321,030) and Peoria, IL ($310,930)[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area also has the most jobs of any metro, about 2,310[14]. Next come Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX with 1,290[14] and Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI with 1,250[14].

Show median pay in 44 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Alaska[11]$341,21090
New York$321,0302,450
Massachusetts$295,550500
California$292,4102,230
New Jersey$291,350n/a
Illinois$286,8301,140
Vermont$283,06040
West Virginia$278,530740
Montana$277,380n/a
New Hampshire$275,980490
Washington$274,390760
Wisconsin$273,170990
Iowa$273,070380
Oregon$272,330370
Minnesota$266,1902,130
South Carolina$265,4801,010
South Dakota$263,930400
Idaho$263,130n/a
Wyoming$255,25080
Virginia$252,110700
Arizona$248,660310
Maine$247,470380
Michigan$247,0102,300
Nebraska$246,730430
Texas$244,9904,060
North Dakota$244,240250
Missouri$242,6301,550
Connecticut$236,960480
Ohio$231,8102,300
Georgia$224,6301,170
North Carolina$224,6103,340
Arkansas$224,280n/a
Maryland$223,140840
Kentucky$222,5201,640
Louisiana$222,130900
Pennsylvania$221,5302,500
Kansas$212,090910
Tennessee$211,4501,690
Florida$210,5704,600
Mississippi$198,410480
Alabama$190,3001,810
Oklahoma$156,830990
New Mexico$129,370n/a
Utah$126,600n/a

How to become a nurse anesthetist

Nurse anesthetists belong to a group called advanced practice registered nurses, or APRNs[15]. The training details below come from a BLS profile that covers nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners together[16]. One step, the critical care experience, applies to nurse anesthetists specifically[17].

1) Become a registered nurse. You need an RN license before you start advanced practice training[18]. APRN programs mostly prefer applicants who hold a nursing bachelor's degree, but some schools run bridge programs for RNs with an associate's degree or a nursing diploma[19]. People with a bachelor's in a related health science field can also find graduate programs that prepare them for the RN licensing exam along the way[19]. A strong science background helps[18]. 2) Work in critical care. To get into an accredited nurse anesthetist program, you need 1 year of experience as an RN in a critical care setting[17]. 3) Finish a graduate program. You need at least a master's degree in the specialty[15]. Programs mix classroom study with clinical practice, and common courses include advanced health assessment, pathophysiology and pharmacology[20]. Some people go further and earn a Ph.D. or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)[21]. 4) Pass a national certification exam[15]. Most states require national certification before you can be licensed and use an APRN title[22]. 5) Get a state APRN license. Rules differ from state to state, and each state's board of nursing lists the details[23].

Employers may also ask for certification in CPR, in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) or in basic life support (BLS)[24]. Job titles reported by workers include Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and Staff Nurse Anesthetist[25].

BLS Employment Projections lists a master's degree as the typical entry education and no related work experience[7]. In practice, the admission rule above means you will already have worked as a nurse[17]. In an O*NET survey of 27 workers, 56% said the job requires a doctoral degree and 41% said a master's degree[26].

On timing, the facts give one firm piece: 1 year of critical care nursing before program entry[17]. O*NET places the job in Job Zone Five, its group for work that needs extensive preparation[27].

What nurse anesthetists do

Nurse anesthetists give anesthesia, track patients' vital signs and look after patients as the anesthesia wears off[1]. They sometimes assist surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists or other physicians[1]. Typical tasks include[28]:

The BLS profile for APRNs points to communication skills, critical thinking and compassion as key qualities[29][30][31]. Quick judgment matters because APRNs must spot changes in a patient's condition and decide what to do[30].

Where they work

BLS describes the work setting for APRNs as a whole, not for nurse anesthetists alone[16]. Keep that in mind when reading this section.

Self-employment is rare. In 2025, just 2.8% of nurse anesthetists worked for themselves[37].

Job outlook

BLS expects the number of nurse anesthetist jobs to rise 9.7% between 2025 and 2035, from about 54,500 jobs to about 59,800, a gain of about 5,300[3]. That is faster than the 3.5% growth projected for all occupations[38].

About 2,400 openings are expected each year on average[6]. These are not only new positions. They also count jobs left behind by workers who retire or change fields[6]. Each year, about 1.7% of nurse anesthetists are expected to leave the labor force and 1.6% to switch to a different occupation[39].

The projection count of 54,500 includes self-employed workers[3]. That is one reason it differs from the 51,840 wage and salary jobs BLS counted in May 2025[10][3].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to very high pay, with a median of $236,590 a year[2], and job growth faster than the rate for all occupations[3][38]. The trade-off is a long path. You need an RN license, 1 year of critical care work and at least a master's degree, followed by a national exam and a state license[15][17]. Pay also depends heavily on where you work, from a state median of $126,600 in Utah to $341,210 in Alaska[11]. The job may suit a nurse who already works well in critical care and is ready for more school and high-stakes decisions[17][34].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[40].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a nurse anesthetist make an hour?
The median was $113.75 an hour in May 2025[2]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $74.64 an hour and the top 10% earned more than $163.22[9].
What is the highest paying state for nurse anesthetists?
Alaska had the highest state median, $341,210 a year, followed by New York at $321,030[11]. Alaska's figure is based on only about 90 jobs[11].
What degree do you need to be a nurse anesthetist?
You need at least a master's degree, plus an RN license, a passed national certification exam and a state APRN license[15]. In an O*NET survey of 27 workers, 56% said a doctoral degree is required and 41% said a master's[26].
Do you need critical care experience to become a nurse anesthetist?
Yes. Accredited nurse anesthetist programs require 1 year of experience as a registered nurse in a critical care setting before admission[17].
Is nurse anesthetist in demand?
BLS projects 9.7% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, and about 2,400 openings a year[3][38][6].

Facts and sources

  1. O*NET description of Nurse Anesthetists. O*NET OnLine
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Nurse Anesthetists in the US was $236,590 per year and $113.75 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Nurse Anesthetists is projected to grow 9.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 54,500 to 59,800 jobs (a change of +5,300). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Nurse Anesthetists: 10th percentile $155,250, 25th percentile $206,730, 75th percentile $294,350, 90th percentile $339,500. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 2,400 openings for Nurse Anesthetists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Nurse Anesthetists: education needed for entry: Master's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Nurse Anesthetists was $248,320 per year and $119.38 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Nurse Anesthetists: 10th percentile $74.64, 25th percentile $99.39, 75th percentile $141.51, 90th percentile $163.22. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 51,840 people were employed as Nurse Anesthetists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Nurse Anesthetists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Nurse Anesthetists jobs: Florida 4,600; Texas 4,060; North Carolina 3,340; Pennsylvania 2,500; New York 2,450. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Nurse Anesthetists (areas with at least 100 jobs): Jacksonville, FL $416,000; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $321,030; Peoria, IL $310,930; Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $298,910; Greensboro-High Point, NC $297,560; Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $294,910; Rochester, NY $286,230; Madison, WI $283,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Nurse Anesthetists jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,310 (median $321,030); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 1,290 (median $218,650); Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 1,250 (median $258,570); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 1,190 (median $238,540); Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 1,170 (median $243,130); Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL 1,070 (median $206,270). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners" covers Nurse Anesthetists together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET 29-1151.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Nurse Anesthetist, Staff Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (Staff CRNA), Staff Nurse Anesthetist. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET 29-1151.00 survey of workers (27 respondents), education level they say is required: Doctoral Degree 56%, Master's Degree 41% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET 29-1151.00: Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET task list for Nurse Anesthetists. O*NET OnLine
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners in 2025: Offices of physicians 46%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. BLS Employment Projections: 2.8% of Nurse Anesthetists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  38. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  39. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Nurse Anesthetists: 1.7% of workers leave the labor force each year and 1.6% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  40. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Wages are BLS OEWS estimates for May 2025 and cover wage and salary workers. They do not include self-employed workers, tips are included only where employers report them, and benefits are not included. BLS does not publish a 'starting salary'. The 10th and 25th percentile wages show what lower-paid workers earn, which often includes people new to the job. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.