Certified registered nurse anesthetists remain among the highest-paid advanced practice providers in the U.S., with average annual salaries topping $214,000. But pay varies widely depending on practice setting, location and employment structure.
Here are five key stats on where CRNA compensation stands in 2025:
1. Average pay remains above $214K nationally. Certified registered nurse anesthetists earn an average annual salary of $214,200, with a mean hourly rate of $102.98. That figure places CRNAs among the highest-paid advanced practice providers.
2. Outpatient centers lead pay by setting. Compensation depends heavily on practice setting. CRNAs working in outpatient care centers report an average salary of $263,960 annually, significantly higher than peers employed in physician offices or hospitals. The difference reflects the high demand for anesthesia services in ASCs, where orthopedic and cardiac cases continue to shift from inpatient facilities.
3. Total compensation rises with bonuses. Base salary is only part of the picture. With bonuses and productivity incentives averaging about $9,000 annually, total CRNA compensation reaches about $256,000 per year. Incentive pay is more common in high-volume outpatient practices and competitive urban markets.
4. Pandemic-era pay spikes are stabilizing. CRNAs and nurse anesthesiologists working under 1099 contracts saw 15% to 25% wage increases over the past three to four years, but that trend has now stabilized. Median salary sits around $251,000, and 1099 rates typically run $200 to $250 per hour.
5. State-level shifts drive volatility. National averages mask notable state-level changes. The average annual CRNA salary rose to $231,700 in 2024, a $17,500 increase from 2023. But not all markets followed the trend: Illinois pay fell from $281,240 in 2023 to $254,350 in 2024, while California also experienced declines.
