California Median
$292,410
per year
Hourly Rate
$140.58
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+24% vs US median
US median $236,590
State Rank
#4 of 44
2,230 employed here
How much does a Nurse Anesthetist make in California?
Nurse Anesthetists in California take home a median of $292,410 annually — roughly $140.58 an hour — which runs 24% above the national median of $236,590.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $200,530 while the top 10% make $335,550 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $277,920 and $315,990 a year.
Nurse Anesthetist salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $200,530 | $96.41 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $277,920 | $133.62 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $292,410 | $140.58 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $315,990 | $151.92 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $335,550 | $161.32 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 4th out of 44 states and territories for Nurse Anesthetist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Nurse Anesthetist salary in other states
Alaska $341,210New York $321,030Massachusetts $295,550New Jersey $291,350Illinois $286,830Vermont $283,060West Virginia $278,530Montana $277,380New Hampshire $275,980Washington $274,390Wisconsin $273,170Iowa $273,070Oregon $272,330Minnesota $266,190South Carolina $265,480South Dakota $263,930Idaho $263,130Wyoming $255,250Virginia $252,110Arizona $248,660Maine $247,470Michigan $247,010Nebraska $246,730Texas $244,990North Dakota $244,240Missouri $242,630Connecticut $236,960Ohio $231,810Georgia $224,630North Carolina $224,610Arkansas $224,280Maryland $223,140Kentucky $222,520Louisiana $222,130Pennsylvania $221,530Kansas $212,090Tennessee $211,450Florida $210,570Mississippi $198,410Alabama $190,300Oklahoma $156,830New Mexico $129,370Utah $126,600
Working as a Nurse Anesthetist in California
Nationally, about 52,000 people work as Nurse Anesthetists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($292,410) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Nurse Anesthetist make in California?
The median Nurse Anesthetist salary in California is $292,410 per year, or about $140.58 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $200,530 at the entry level to $335,550 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Nurse Anesthetists about 24% more than the national median of $236,590. California ranks 4th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Nurse Anesthetists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $292,410 a year. About 2,230 Nurse Anesthetists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Nurse Anesthetist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.