Nurse Anesthetist salary in California
Nurse Anesthetists in California earn a median of $292,410 a year ($140.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $200,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $335,550 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $236,590. California ranks 4th of 44 states for nurse anesthetists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.12 nurse anesthetists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.37). The average (mean) salary is $283,780, close to the median.
Pay range for nurse anesthetists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $200,530 | $96.41 |
| 25th percentile | $277,920 | $133.62 |
| Median | $292,410 | $140.58 |
| 75th percentile | $315,990 | $151.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $335,550 | $161.32 |
| Average (mean) | $283,780 | $136.43 |
Half of nurse anesthetists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $24,367.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $12,183.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $11,246.54 |
| Weekly | $5,623.27 |
| Hourly | $140.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nurse Anesthetist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $298,910 | 140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $282,930 | n/a |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $239,200+ | 460 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $239,200+ | 30 |
| Vallejo, CA | $239,200+ | 70 |
Highest-paying states for nurse anesthetists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $341,210 |
| New York | $321,030 |
| Massachusetts | $295,550 |
| California | $292,410 |
| New Jersey | $291,350 |
| Illinois | $286,830 |
| Vermont | $283,060 |
| West Virginia | $278,530 |
| Montana | $277,380 |
| New Hampshire | $275,980 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $67.44 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $135.38 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $168,520 | $81.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,930 | $60.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,820 | $50.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $118,970 | $57.20 |
| Dentists, General | $165,950 | $79.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $124,510 | $59.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,650 | $79.64 |
| Veterinarian | $163,920 | $78.81 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $98,850 | $47.52 |
| Optometrist | $136,300 | $65.53 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1151. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nurse anesthetist make in California?
The median salary for nurse anesthetists in California is $292,410 a year, or $140.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $200,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $335,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nurse anesthetists make in California?
The top 10% of nurse anesthetists in California earn at least $335,550 a year. The top 25% earn $315,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for nurse anesthetists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $200,530 a year, and a quarter of nurse anesthetists earn $277,920 or less.
How many nurse anesthetists work in California?
About 2,230 nurse anesthetists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.