Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Alhambra vs San Francisco: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Alhambra, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alhambra, CA
$277,378
$133.35/hr
San Francisco, CA
$306,024
$147.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlhambra, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$277,378$306,024
Hourly Rate$133.35$147.12
Entry Level (P10)$192,045$183,733
25th Percentile$247,815$252,943
75th Percentile$338,638$391,710
Top Earner (P90)$402,844$473,097
Total Employed13142
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alhambra ($277,378) and San Francisco ($306,024) nurse anesthetist salaries.AlhambraSan FranciscoMedian Salary$277,378$306,024Entry Level (P10)$192,045$183,733Top Earner (P90)$402,844$473,097US Median $248,893

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Alhambra.

The salary gap between Alhambra and San Francisco is $28,646 (10.33%). San Francisco's median is +22.95% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alhambra spans $210,799,San Francisco spans $289,364. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Alhambra
P10 (Entry)$192,045
P25$247,815
Median$277,378
P75$338,638
P90 (Top)$402,844
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$183,733
P25$252,943
Median$306,024
P75$391,710
P90 (Top)$473,097

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($270,578 effective) pays 10.33% more than Alhambra ($245,250 effective).

Alhambra
Nominal: $277,378
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $245,250
San Francisco
Nominal: $306,024
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $270,578

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alhambra if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($306,024/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($473,097)
  • Larger job market (142 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $270,578)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Alhambra grew -9.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.7% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Alhambra, CA

+-9.0%

$289,757 (2024) → $263,667 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+23.7%

$235,120 (2022) → $290,897 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Alhambra or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $306,024/year, compared to Alhambra at $277,378/year — a difference of $28,646 (10.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alhambra and San Francisco?

Alhambra nurse anesthetists earn $133.35/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $147.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alhambra to San Francisco as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alhambra and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alhambra = $245,250, San Francisco = $270,578), job availability (13 vs 142 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Alhambra vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $192,045 in Alhambra and $183,733 in San Francisco. The Alhambra area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AJ

Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA

Career Analyst

Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Lee, DNP, CRNAData verified by Fatima Ahmad, MSN, CRNA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.20% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov