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By: Nurse.org Staff Jump to section… Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist SalaryCertified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Salary FactorsCRNA Salary by StateIs the Cost of CRNA School Worth It?So, Should You Become a CRNA?
Medically reviewed by Chaunie Brusie, BSN, RN on September 14, 2021
If you’re considering becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, salary likely has something do with your choice. Nurse anesthetist salaries are higher than any other type of nursing specialty! But how much can you really expect to make as a CRNA? Is the salary worth the huge investment of time and money?
Read on to find out more about nurse anesthetist salaries including how much you can earn, what factors impact CRNA salaries, and whether or not it’s worth it for you!
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PART ONECertified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Salary
CRNAs are the highest paid of all of the nursing specialties, and for good reason. Though all nurses provide compassionate care to their patients, being a nurse anesthetist and managing patients’ anesthesia needs requires a high level of judgment, skill, experience, and knowledge.
As of May 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook reported that the mean annual average salary for nurse anesthetists in the United States was $183,580.
When you consider that the current average annual salary for all occupations in the United States is $53,490, it puts into perspective exactly how highly valued these professionals are.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Salary Factors
For those considering a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, it is important to understand what drives the difference between the low end of the salary range and the high end.
Some of the most important factors are the number of years of experience in the field, as well as their work setting and their geographic location.
CRNA Salary by Years of Experience
There is a nearly $100,000 range between an entry-level nurse anesthetist’s salary and the salary of a nurse anesthetist who has been working in the position for eight or more years.
According to the website Salaryexpert.com, an entry-level nurse anesthetist will command an annual salary of $120,581, while a senior CRNA will earn $220,557.
Nurse Anesthetist Salary by Work Setting
Anesthesia is offered in different ways and in many different settings to relieve or avoid pain. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are often responsible for providing anesthesia services independently or working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, and the setting in which they work is a major driver of the salary they can be paid.
TOP PAYING WORK SETTINGS FOR CRNAS
- Outpatient care centers – $224,810
- Specialty hospitals – $201,220
- Colleges, universities and professional schools – $197,700
- General medical and surgical hospitals – $196,530
- Physician offices – $180,780
Source: BLS, 2020 annual mean salaries by industryBecome a Part of the Nurse.org Community!
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CRNA Salary by Scope of Work
While the cities offering the highest salaries for CRNAs reflect the areas where there is a heavy concentration of teaching and acute care facilities and greater competition for skilled professionals, the states that offer the highest salaries are also those in which CRNAs are likely to have extensive responsibilities due to the dearth of available healthcare facilities and/or anesthesiologists.
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How to Increase Your Nurse Anesthetist Salary
Nurse Anesthetists who want to increase their salary can explore all the options we mentioned above, as well as by becoming a Chief Nurse Anesthetist.
Chief Nurse Anesthetists will take on the additional responsibilities of managing, scheduling and training staff anesthetists and can increase their salary by between $10,000 and $20,000, annually.
>> Related: Accredited CRNA Schools by State
PART FOURCRNA Salary by State
Different locations throughout the country offer significantly different average salaries for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. Though you may think the difference has to do with the cost of living or the number of professionals available in a remote region, the real differential is based on the scope of practice law within a state.
| State | Avg Annual | Avg Hourly | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $170,560 | $82.00 | -8.80% |
| Alaska | no data | no data | +31.60% |
| Arizona | $173,460 | $83.40 | -1.95% |
| Arkansas | $167,030 | $80.30 | -11.50% |
| California | $205,360 | $98.73 | +34.80% |
| Colorado | $175,760 | $84.50 | +2.10% |
| Connecticut | $217,360 | $104.50 | +30.70% |
| Delaware | no data | no data | +10.80% |
| District of Columbia | no data | no data | +49.20% |
| Florida | $176,760 | $84.98 | -1.00% |
| Georgia | $179,630 | $86.36 | -8.60% |
| Hawaii | $201,930 | $97.08 | +67.40% |
| Idaho | $156,250 | $75.12 | -10.40% |
| Illinois | $194,950 | $93.73 | -4.50% |
| Indiana | $169,620 | $81.55 | -12.10% |
| Iowa | $198,480 | $95.43 | -8.30% |
| Kansas | $167,700 | $80.63 | -9.60% |
| Kentucky | $163,700 | $78.70 | -9.60% |
| Louisiana | $161,310 | $77.55 | -5.60% |
| Maine | $198,940 | $95.64 | +12.00% |
| Maryland | $182,780 | $87.88 | +25.00% |
| Massachusetts | $195,900 | $94.18 | +34.7% |
| Michigan | $199,870 | $96.09 | -11.80% |
| Minnesota | $216,050 | $103.87 | +34.70% |
| Mississippi | $174,540 | $83.92 | -14.00% |
| Missouri | $189,610 | $91.16 | -9.20% |
| Montana | $216,420 | $104.05 | +0.80% |
| Nebraska | $176,880 | $85.04 | -8.70% |
| Nevada | $223,680 | $107.54 | +4.50% |
| New Hampshire | $197,570 | $94.99 | +0.80% |
| New Jersey | $207,500 | $99.76 | +21.00% |
| New Mexico | $164,980 | $79.32 | -4.30% |
| New York | $217,050 | $104.35 | +35.20% |
| North Carolina | $192,830 | $92.33 | -5.80% |
| North Dakota | $192,050 | $93.76 | -98.90% |
| Ohio | $190,120 | $91.40 | -7.00% |
| Oklahoma | $179,410 | $86.25 | -11.40% |
| Oregon | $236,540 | $113.72 | +15.40% |
| Pennsylvania | $185,090 | $88.99 | +2.80% |
| Puerto Rico | $55,250 | $26.56 | +22.10% |
| South Carolina | $185,850 | $89.35 | +0.50% |
| South Dakota | $190,660 | $91.66 | +2.80% |
| Tennessee | $171,020 | $82.22 | -10.20% |
| Texas | $180,380 | $86.72 | -9.30% |
| Utah | $127,130 | $61.12 | -7.20% |
| Virginia | $179,180 | $86.15 | +0.20% |
| Vermont | $189,780 | $91.24 | +12.00% |
| Washington | $197,740 | $95.07 | +7.10% |
| West Virginia | $187,430 | $90.11 | +4.30% |
| Wisconsin | $231,520 | $111.31 | -3.10% |
| Wyoming | $231,250 | $111.18 | -8.30% |
If you’re a Registered Nurse (RN) looking for more autonomy working with patients in an operating room, intensive care unit, or surgical facility, then becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) might be the perfect job for you.
Nursing students and RNs often set a long-term goal of becoming a CRNA, and for good reason. CRNAs are highly respected for their work and nurse anesthetists are the highest paid nurses of 2021. They’re also an important part of our healthcare system.
PART ONEWhat is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)?
CRNAs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who administer anesthesia and other medications. They also monitor patients who are receiving and later recovering from anesthesia. CRNAs have acquired a minimum of a Master’s degree focusing on anesthesia, have completed extensive clinical training, and have passed a certification exam approved by the National Boards of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
CRNAs care for patients from all walks of life. Some patients are scheduled for surgery, while others come in for emergency surgeries related to trauma or other potentially life-threatening events.
What Do CRNAs Do?
In many states, CRNAs work in complete autonomy. In other team models, they work with anesthesiologists, surgeons, dentists, and other physicians in serving patients who are to receive anesthesia. CRNAs usually work in hospital operating rooms (ORs), emergency rooms (ERs), intensive care units (ICUs), cardiac care units (CCUs), or outpatient surgical clinics.
CRNAs work with surgical teams, with most surgical procedures occurring from early morning (6 am) to late afternoons/evenings (6-7 pm), Monday through Friday. However, emergency surgery and unplanned cases can occur at any moment, thus it is not unusual to see CRNAs working evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
CRNAs have specific duties, which include but are not limited to:
- Assessing patient response to anesthesia
- Identifying possible risk to the anesthetized patient, including allergies and overdose
- Administering precise dosages
- Educating patients before and after receiving anesthesia
Nurse Anesthetists are a vital part of today’s medical facilities, and the need for CRNAs is expected to grow.
Where Can CRNA’s Work?
CRNAs typically work in healthcare settings that have operating rooms, emergency rooms, and intensive care units.
CRNA Work Environments
- Medical and surgical hospitals
- Critical access hospitals
- Mobile surgery centers
- Outpatient care centers
- Nursing research facilities
- Offices of plastic surgeons, dentists, ophthalmologists, pain management specialists, and other medical professionals
- U.S. military medical facilities
While most CRNAs choose to practice at the bedside, there are also numerous administrative jobs available for Nurse Anesthetists. Individuals can work in a managerial role that includes personnel and resource management, financial management, quality assurance, risk management, department meetings, continuing education, and staff development.
Furthermore, CRNAs may hold positions within state and federal government agencies including the state boards of nursing, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and for professional testing organizations such as the American Society for Testing and Materials.
PART FIVE How to Become a CRNA
The rewards of being a nurse anesthetist are remarkable, and like anything worth having it requires a significant amount of dedication and commitment. Here are the steps you’ll need to take in order to become a CRNA:
- Earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing – 4 years
- Get licensed as a Registered Nurse – Eligible Upon Graduation
- Gain experience working as a Registered Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) – 1-3 years
- Apply to and Get Accepted by an Accredited Nurse Anesthesia Program
- Attend an accredited nurse anesthesia program – 2-3 years
- Take and pass the National Certification Examination for Nurse Anesthetists – Eligible Upon Graduation
- Find a job as a CRNA! Check out the nurse.org job board for the latest nursing jobs in your area.
Did you know you can become a CRNA, even if you have a low G.P.A.? You can! Read Wali Khan’s article, 7 steps to take if your grades are not ideal.
Let’s take a closer look at what each step entails.
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1. Earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Though there are several paths to becoming a Registered Nurse, the one that will provide you with the greatest opportunity and the educational background that is fast becoming the standard is the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
This four-year degree provides you with foundational knowledge in topics ranging from health assessments and pathophysiology to anatomy and pharmacology. BSN programs incorporate clinical rotations through the various care departments in hospitals and clinics, exposing you to a wide range of patients and colleagues to give you a well-rounded nursing education.
Keep in mind as you are pursuing your undergraduate studies that early academic achievement will be rewarded with greater opportunities and more options in the future. The better your grades and recommendations you receive from undergraduate faculty, the better your chances of being accepted into the accredited nurse anesthetist program of your choice.
Most programs have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0, and acceptance is becoming increasingly competitive. Don’t let the G.P.A requirement scare you away – here are 7 Tips To Getting Into CRNA School, Even With a Low G.P.A.
2. Get Licensed as a Registered Nurse
Once you have earned your Bachelor of Science in Nursing you will be eligible to take the examination required to become a Registered Nurse.
This test, called the NCLEX-RN, or National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Every state has its own requirements for licensure and process for exam registration, so make sure that you are familiar with the requirements as they apply to you and your locale.
3. Gain Invaluable Experience Working as an ICU Registered Nurse
Though your undergraduate clinical rotations will have exposed you to a wide range of care settings, nurse anesthesia programs generally prefer candidates who have experience appropriate to the field – those who have worked in the intensive critical care unit (ICU) with adult patients.
You will put yourself in the most optimal position for being accepted to a program if you have a minimum of one year (greater than 1 year is preferred) of experience working in an adult intensive critical care unit (ICU).
Pursuing certifications that demonstrate this experience (such as a Critical Care Registered Nurse Certification) will further enhance your resume and make you more attractive to those who will review your nurse anesthesia program application.
Another way to boost your chances is to shadow a working nurse anesthetist. This will not only demonstrate your commitment to the field but will also provide you with valuable insights into what your future as a nurse anesthetist holds.
4. Apply to and Get Accepted by an Accredited Nurse Anesthesia Program
As the need for nurse anesthetists has grown, so too have the number of accredited nurse anesthesia programs. CRNAs historically have been able to earn either an MSN or DNP; however, by 2025 CRNAs will need a doctorate degree.
As of February of 2020, the AANA website indicates 123 accredited nurse anesthesia programs available. Getting accepted into these programs requires that applicants demonstrate a commitment to the field of nursing and to the study of nursing practice. Though every program has its own unique focus and requirements, most have certain elements in common, including:
- Minimum of two years’ experience working as a Registered Nurse
- Minimum of one year working in an acute care setting
- Valid RN licensure
- BSN degree or Bachelors’ degree in a related field of study, including completion of prerequisite courses in human anatomy, microbiology, chemistry, physiology and statistics
- Minimum GPA demonstrated in college transcripts: may require 3.0 in related science studies
- Excellent communication skills
- References
>>Related: 7 Tips To Get Into CRNA School, Even With a Low G.P.A.
Nurse anesthesia programs value candidates who demonstrate attention to detail. Make certain that you read each school’s application requirements carefully to ensure that you are providing the exact information that they are looking for.
5. Attend an Accredited Nurse Anesthesia Program
In recent years, a growing number of accredited nurse anesthesia programs have moved beyond the standard of educating towards a Master’s Degree upon graduation, and instead are providing a didactic level geared towards a doctoral degree.
Depending upon which accredited nurse anesthesia program you are accepted by and choose to attend, earning your degree will take between two and three years and will provide both high-level classroom work and clinical practice.
>> Related: Accredited CRNA Schools by State
6. Take and Pass the National Certification Examination for Nurse Anesthetists
The final step required before applying for an entry-level position as a nurse anesthetist is passing the National Certification Examination (NCE).
This three-hour test is conducted on a computer and evaluates the knowledge, skills and abilities that every accredited nurse anesthesia program provides.
Once you pass the exam and have become a CRNA, you must maintain certification, which involves recertifying every four years and taking a new test every eight years. Recertification requires the completion of 100 units of continuing education in a variety of areas including pathophysiology and anesthesia technologies.
>> Explore CRNA Certification Review Materials*
PART SIX How Long Does it Take to Become a CRNA?
| 1. Earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4 years |
| 2. Get licensed as a Registered Nurse | Eligible Upon Graduation |
| 3. Gain experience working as a Registered Nurse | 1-3 years |
| 4. Attend an accredited nurse anesthesia program | 2-3 years |
| 5. Take and pass the National Certification Examination for Nurse Anesthetists | Eligible Upon Graduation |
| 6. Become Licensed by Your State | Eligible After Passing Certification Exam |
| Total Time to Become a CRNA | 7-10 years |
PART SEVENWhich Schools Have the Best CRNA Programs?
There are numerous CRNA programs throughout the country, our panel of nurses ranked them based on reputation, certification pass rate, cost, accreditation, and acceptance rates and determined these are some of the best options out there. Because nursing careers take different forms, the top 10 CRNA programs are ranked in no particular order.
Top 10 Nurse Anesthetist Programs
1. DUKE UNIVERSITY
Total Program Cost: $69,736 (based on per-credit tuition rate)
Online: No
Program Length: 36 months
Among the most competitive and well-respected nursing programs in the nation, Duke University’s School of Nursing routinely graduates some of the top nurses. Duke’s DNP in nurse anesthesia (NA-DNP) sees graduates find careers across the United States, though most stay in North Carolina. Graduates also enjoy a 100% pass rate for the CRNA certification exam, and every nursing student finds employment after graduating.
2. MAYO CLINIC COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND SCIENCES
Total Program Cost: $62,610
Online: No
Program Length: 42 months
The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, offers a 42-month doctor of nurse anesthesia practice (DNAP) program to current RNs. Students complete clinical experiences on Mayo Clinic’s campus, though rotations might be completed off-campus. Those who completed the Mayo Clinic master of nurse anesthesia or those currently employed as nurse anesthetists by Mayo Clinic may enroll in a post-graduate doctoral program.
3. VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY
Total Program Cost: $94,000
Online: No
Program Length: 36 months
Villanova University offers its DNP in nurse anesthesia through the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, in conjunction with Prospect Medical Holdings – Crozer-Chester Medical Center. Applicants don’t need a master’s degree but must have a BSN with a 3.4 GPA or higher and be currently-practicing RNs with five years of experience. Villanova selects 24 new students each year out of nearly 100 applications, making this a highly competitive program.
4. VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
Total In-State Program Cost: $52,272 Total Out-of-State Program Cost: $94,446
Online: Hybrid
Program Length: 36 months
Intended for current RNs with a BSN, the DNAP entry-to-practice program utilizes a hybrid on- and off-campus format for the first two semesters of study. The final seven semesters are completed on-site, including five semesters gaining clinical experience. Students gain clinical experience across Richmond, interacting with various types of patients in different settings. VCU also offers a postmaster’s DNAP for current CRNAs.
5. RUSH UNIVERSITY
Total Program Cost: $103,774 (based on per-credit tuition rate)
Online: Hybrid
Program Length: 36 months
Rush University’s 89-credit DNP in nurse anesthesia may seem expensive, but the university does not charge any fees on top of its per-credit tuition rate. Over the course of the 36-month program, students begin in a simulation lab and gradually move into clinical rotations. Most of the coursework is available entirely online, except for 756 hours of specialty curriculum and 2,300 hours of clinical immersion. DNP students complete their rotations at major Illinois hospitals, or at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Washington.
6. GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
Total Program Cost: $146,512
Online: No
Program Length: 36 months
Considered as the home to one of the best nursing schools in the nation, Georgetown University also boasts one of the top DNAP programs. The program begins with 12 months of coursework, followed by two years of clinical immersion at hospitals in the Washington, D.C. area. To apply, nurses must hold a bachelor’s degree and be licensed RNs. All graduates eventually passed the CRNA certification exam, and graduates enjoy a 100% employment rate within three months of graduating.
7. BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Total Program Cost: $98,686
Online: Hybrid
Program Length: 36 months
Baylor University has two DNP in nurse anesthesia programs: a BSN-DNP and an MSN-DNP, though the second option is reserved for current CRNAs. The BSN-DNP is a 36-month program, and some of the courses in the program require online study. Those planning on applying must have a BSN, an active RN license to work in Texas, and several years of professional experience. Baylor’s College of Medicine does an excellent job preparing CRNAs as 97% of graduates in the past five years passed the National Certification Exam on their first attempt.
8. UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
Total In-State Program Cost: $46,242 Total Out-of-State Program Cost: $81,468
Online: Hybrid
Program Length: 36 months
The University of Cincinnati offers one of the oldest — and best — DNP in nurse anesthesia programs in the nation. After completing didactic courses and simulations (some of which can be completed online), students complete clinicals at a variety of hospitals within 45 miles of the university, some of which are within walking distance. At the end of the 36-month program, nurses complete UC’s mandatory DNP Project, a project which students work on throughout their studies and defend upon graduation. Graduates also enjoy a 100% licensure exam pass rate.
9. NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
Total Program Cost: $124,000
Online: No
Program Length: 36 months
While Northeastern University offers both a master’s and doctoral nurse anesthesia degree, the BSN-DNP in nurse anesthesia meets future accrediting standards and best prepares nurses for a successful career. This program places students in clinical practices in different healthcare settings, exposing nurses to different patients and practices. The class of 2018 saw a 100% job placement rate, though only 74% of students passed the licensure exam on their first try.
10. UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
Total In-State Program Cost: $82,770 Total Out-of-State Program Cost: $98,844
Online: No
Program Length: 36 months
Pitt’s DNP in nurse anesthesia program has been considered among the best for decades. The three-year program places RNs in clinicals around the area (including University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospitals, considered some of the top hospitals in the nation. Students begin the program with coursework, then gradually begin clinical practice. Once accepted, students are paired with faculty advisors to figure out how to quickly finish coursework so students can progress to clinical practices without worrying about courses.
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