How much does a nurse anesthetist make?
The median nurse anesthetist in the United States earns $236,590 per year, about $113.75 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all nurse anesthetists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-1151.
Nurse anesthetist salary range
Pay for nurse anesthetists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $155,250 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $339,500. The average (mean) wage of $248,320 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $155,250 | $74.64 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $206,730 | $99.39 | |
| Median (50th) | $236,590 | $113.75 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $294,350 | $141.51 | |
| 90th percentile | $339,500 | $163.22 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Nurse anesthetist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Nurse anesthetists earn the most in Alaska at $341,210 a year, and the least in Utah at $126,600. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $341,210 | 90 |
| New York | $321,030 | 2,450 |
| Massachusetts | $295,550 | 500 |
| California | $292,410 | 2,230 |
| New Jersey | $291,350 | N/A |
| Illinois | $286,830 | 1,140 |
| Vermont | $283,060 | 40 |
| West Virginia | $278,530 | 740 |
| Montana | $277,380 | N/A |
| New Hampshire | $275,980 | 490 |
| Washington | $274,390 | 760 |
| Wisconsin | $273,170 | 990 |
| Iowa | $273,070 | 380 |
| Oregon | $272,330 | 370 |
| Minnesota | $266,190 | 2,130 |
| South Carolina | $265,480 | 1,010 |
| South Dakota | $263,930 | 400 |
| Idaho | $263,130 | N/A |
| Wyoming | $255,250 | 80 |
| Virginia | $252,110 | 700 |
| Arizona | $248,660 | 310 |
| Maine | $247,470 | 380 |
| Michigan | $247,010 | 2,300 |
| Nebraska | $246,730 | 430 |
| Texas | $244,990 | 4,060 |
| North Dakota | $244,240 | 250 |
| Missouri | $242,630 | 1,550 |
| Connecticut | $236,960 | 480 |
| Ohio | $231,810 | 2,300 |
| Georgia | $224,630 | 1,170 |
| North Carolina | $224,610 | 3,340 |
| Arkansas | $224,280 | N/A |
| Maryland | $223,140 | 840 |
| Kentucky | $222,520 | 1,640 |
| Louisiana | $222,130 | 900 |
| Pennsylvania | $221,530 | 2,500 |
| Kansas | $212,090 | 910 |
| Tennessee | $211,450 | 1,690 |
| Florida | $210,570 | 4,600 |
| Mississippi | $198,410 | 480 |
| Alabama | $190,300 | 1,810 |
| Oklahoma | $156,830 | 990 |
| New Mexico | $129,370 | N/A |
| Utah | $126,600 | N/A |
State median wages for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for nurse anesthetists
The BLS projects employment of nurse anesthetists to grow 9.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 54,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 59,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,400 openings a year for nurse anesthetists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a nurse anesthetist
The typical entry-level education for nurse anesthetists is a master's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a nurse anesthetist earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alaska, $341,210) and the lowest (Utah, $126,600) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 51,840 people work as nurse anesthetists in the United States. At $236,590 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Nurse anesthetist salary FAQ
How much does a nurse anesthetist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a nurse anesthetist is $113.75. The middle half of nurse anesthetists earn between $99.39 and $141.51 per hour.
What is the highest nurse anesthetist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of nurse anesthetists earn more than $339,500 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a nurse anesthetist make a year?
The median annual salary for a nurse anesthetist is $236,590. The average (mean) wage of $248,320 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a nurse anesthetist a well paid job?
At $236,590 a year, a nurse anesthetist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 51,840 people work as nurse anesthetists in the United States.
Which state pays nurse anesthetists the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for nurse anesthetists at $341,210 a year. New York ($321,030) and Massachusetts ($295,550) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a nurse anesthetist a good career?
Employment of nurse anesthetists is projected to grow 9.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a nurse anesthetist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for nurse anesthetists as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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