Among the different types of registered nurses, nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are among of the highest paid on average.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse anesthetists earn an average salary of $202,470 per year ($97.34 per hour). The estimate will vary depending on where you work and the state where you are employed. The demand in your geographical area can heavily influence the average pay.
| State | Per hour | Per state |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $82.00 | $170,560 |
| Arizona | $83.40 | $173,460 |
| Arkansas | $80.30 | $167,030 |
| California | $98.73 | $205,360 |
| Colorado | $84.50 | $175,760 |
| Connecticut | $104.50 | $217,360 |
| Florida | $84.98 | $176,760 |
| Georgia | $86.36 | $179,630 |
| Hawaii | $97.08 | $201,930 |
| Idaho | $75.12 | $156,250 |
| Illinois | $93.73 | $194,950 |
| Indiana | $81.55 | $169,620 |
| Iowa | $95.43 | $198,480 |
| Kansas | $80.63 | $167,700 |
| Kentucky | $78.70 | $163,700 |
| Louisiana | $77.55 | $161,310 |
| Maine | $95.64 | $198,940 |
| Maryland | $87.88 | $182,780 |
| Massachusetts | $94.18 | $195,900 |
| Michigan | $96.09 | $199,870 |
| Minnesota | $103.87 | $216,050 |
| Mississippi | $83.92 | $174,540 |
| Missouri | $91.16 | $189,610 |
| Montana | $104.05 | $216,420 |
| Nebraska | $85.04 | $176,880 |
| Nevada | $107.54 | $223,680 |
| New Hampshire | $94.99 | $197,570 |
| New Jersey | $99.76 | $207,500 |
| New Mexico | $79.32 | $164,980 |
| New York | $104.35 | $217,050 |
| North Carolina | $92.71 | $192,830 |
| North Dakota | $92.33 | $192,050 |
| Ohio | $91.40 | $190,120 |
| Oklahoma | $86.25 | $179,410 |
| Oregon | $113.72 | $236,540 |
| Pennsylvania | $88.99 | $185,090 |
| South Carolina | $89.35 | $185,850 |
| South Dakota | $91.66 | $190,660 |
| Tennessee | $82.22 | $171,020 |
| Texas | $86.72 | $180,380 |
| Utah | $61.12 | $127,130 |
| Vermont | $91.24 | $189,780 |
| Virginia | $86.15 | $179,180 |
| Washington | $95.07 | $197,740 |
| West Virginia | $90.11 | $187,430 |
| Wisconsin | $111.31 | $231,520 |
| Wyoming | $111.18 | $231,250 |
All salary data courtesy of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. | ||
Job outlook for CRNAs
The job outlook for certified nurse anesthetists is very good; employment for nurse anesthetists is expected to grow by 13 percent from 2020-2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What you need to know about a career as a CRNA
If you are considering this acclaimed and lucrative career option, there are a few things you will need to know.
What does a certified nurse anesthetist do?
A nurse anesthetist is an in-demand type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) play an important role in a variety of medical procedures. They help ensure the safe administration of anesthesia and work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals. In addition to administering anesthesia during surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, and obstetric procedures, CRNAs perform epidurals and nerve blocks, providing patient care before, during, and after anesthesia and more.
Where do nurse anesthetists work?
CRNAs often work in a variety of settings, including medical and surgical hospitals, outpatient clinics, physicians’ offices, and military facilities. They can often be found in operating rooms, where they provide anesthesia for emergency surgery or scheduled outpatient procedures. CRNAs may also be found in maternity wards, where they provide epidurals during childbirth.
What is the difference between a nurse anesthetist and an anesthesiologist?
The biggest difference between CRNAs and anesthesiologists is CRNAs receive nursing education, while anesthesiologists are physicians who receive medical education. An anesthesiologist must earn a bachelor’s degree, complete medical school, and complete a residency in anesthesiology.
What educational requirements you need to become a CRNA?
A certified nurse anesthetist must have five key requirements: a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, a registered nurse licensure for your state, two or more years of critical care nursing experience, and a master’s degree in nurse anesthesia. You will also need to pass the National Certification Examination (NCE).
How can I become a CRNA?
Here are the steps to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist:
- Learn about the job
- Become an RN with a BSN
- Enroll in a master's degree CRNA program
- Pass the National Certification Exam
- Start your new career
You’ll need to gain experience in an acute care setting, such as an ICU or the emergency room of a hospital or ambulatory center. Two or more years of experience is typical and will help you develop practical skills and gain experience in urgent care situations. Then you much complete an accredited nurse anesthetist master’s degree program. This typically takes between 24 and 36 months. Herzing University does not currently offer an MSN program for CRNAs; you can find a program near you by searching this list.
The last step is to pass the National Certification Examination (NCE). This computer exam typically takes three hours, and students must answer between 100 and 170 questions. Once you’ve successfully passed, you can start looking for a job and begin your rewarding career as a certified nurse anesthetist.
Become possible with Herzing University
If you’re considering advancing your career in nursing and looking ahead to becoming a CRNA, Herzing University can help you take the first step and earn your bachelor’s degree in nursing. We offer several different options (check campus availability near you):
- A 3-year BSN degree program for students new to nursing (online and on-campus programs available)
- An accelerated BSN program for students with a bachelor’s degree in another field
- A BSN Bridge Option for LPNs, paramedics, military medics, Respiratory Therapists (RT), and Cardiovascular Technologists (CVT)
- An RN to BSN online program for RNs with an associate’s degree
Our mission is to empower you to reach your career goals. Take the leap with Herzing University and start pursuing your dream job.
Learn about the Herzing BSN program
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2021. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
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