Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Elk Grove vs San Jose: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Elk Grove, CA
$285,779
$137.39/hr
San Jose, CA
$304,151
$146.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElk Grove, CASan Jose, CA
Median Salary$285,779$304,151
Hourly Rate$137.39$146.23
Entry Level (P10)$175,692$179,753
25th Percentile$239,169$267,010
75th Percentile$355,996$382,409
Top Earner (P90)$409,821$446,799
Total Employed25168
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elk Grove ($285,779) and San Jose ($304,151) nurse anesthetist salaries.Elk GroveSan JoseMedian Salary$285,779$304,151Entry Level (P10)$175,692$179,753Top Earner (P90)$409,821$446,799US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Elk Grove and San Jose is $18,372 (6.43%). 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 Elk Grove spans $234,129,San Jose spans $267,046. San Jose has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Elk Grove
P10 (Entry)$175,692
P25$239,169
Median$285,779
P75$355,996
P90 (Top)$409,821
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 6.43% more than Elk Grove ($252,678 effective).

Elk Grove
Nominal: $285,779
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $252,678
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 Elk Grove 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 Elk Grove grew -9.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.3% growth in San Jose over the same period.

Elk Grove, CA

+-9.0%

$298,533 (2024) → $271,653 (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: Elk Grove or San Jose?

San Jose has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $304,151/year, compared to Elk Grove at $285,779/year — a difference of $18,372 (6.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elk Grove and San Jose?

Elk Grove nurse anesthetists earn $137.39/hr while San Jose hygienists earn $146.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Elk Grove to San Jose as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elk Grove and San Jose. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elk Grove = $252,678, San Jose = $268,922), job availability (25 vs 168 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Elk Grove vs San Jose?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $175,692 in Elk Grove and $179,753 in San Jose. The San Jose 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