Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

El Monte vs San Jose: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

El Monte, CA
$288,828
$138.86/hr
San Jose, CA
$304,151
$146.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEl Monte, CASan Jose, CA
Median Salary$288,828$304,151
Hourly Rate$138.86$146.23
Entry Level (P10)$182,713$179,753
25th Percentile$245,399$267,010
75th Percentile$363,322$382,409
Top Earner (P90)$421,264$446,799
Total Employed20168
Side-by-side bar chart comparing El Monte ($288,828) and San Jose ($304,151) nurse anesthetist salaries.El MonteSan JoseMedian Salary$288,828$304,151Entry Level (P10)$182,713$179,753Top Earner (P90)$421,264$446,799US Median $248,893

Verdict

San Jose, CA offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to El Monte.

The salary gap between El Monte and San Jose is $15,323 (5.31%). San Jose's median is +22.20% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in El Monte spans $238,551,San Jose spans $267,046. San Jose has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

El Monte
P10 (Entry)$182,713
P25$245,399
Median$288,828
P75$363,322
P90 (Top)$421,264
San Jose
P10 (Entry)$179,753
P25$267,010
Median$304,151
P75$382,409
P90 (Top)$446,799

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Jose ($268,922 effective) pays 5.31% more than El Monte ($255,374 effective).

El Monte
Nominal: $288,828
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $255,374
San Jose
Nominal: $304,151
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $268,922

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose El Monte if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Jose if…

  • Higher median salary ($304,151/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($446,799)
  • Larger job market (168 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $268,922)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in El Monte grew -9.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.3% growth in San Jose over the same period.

El Monte, CA

+-9.0%

$301,717 (2024) → $274,551 (2025)

San Jose, CA

+27.3%

$227,100 (2022) → $289,117 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: El Monte or San Jose?

San Jose has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $304,151/year, compared to El Monte at $288,828/year — a difference of $15,323 (5.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between El Monte and San Jose?

El Monte nurse anesthetists earn $138.86/hr while San Jose hygienists earn $146.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from El Monte to San Jose as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing El Monte and San Jose. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: El Monte = $255,374, San Jose = $268,922), job availability (20 vs 168 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in El Monte vs San Jose?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $182,713 in El Monte and $179,753 in San Jose. The El Monte 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