Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Encinitas vs San Francisco: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Encinitas, CA
$285,048
$137.04/hr
San Francisco, CA
$306,024
$147.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEncinitas, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$285,048$306,024
Hourly Rate$137.04$147.12
Entry Level (P10)$187,102$183,733
25th Percentile$246,979$252,943
75th Percentile$351,614$391,710
Top Earner (P90)$400,439$473,097
Total Employed16142
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Encinitas ($285,048) and San Francisco ($306,024) nurse anesthetist salaries.EncinitasSan FranciscoMedian Salary$285,048$306,024Entry Level (P10)$187,102$183,733Top Earner (P90)$400,439$473,097US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Encinitas and San Francisco is $20,976 (7.36%). 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 Encinitas spans $213,337,San Francisco spans $289,364. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Encinitas
P10 (Entry)$187,102
P25$246,979
Median$285,048
P75$351,614
P90 (Top)$400,439
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 7.36% more than Encinitas ($252,032 effective).

Encinitas
Nominal: $285,048
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $252,032
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 Encinitas 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 Encinitas grew -9.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.7% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Encinitas, CA

+-9.0%

$297,769 (2024) → $270,958 (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: Encinitas or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $306,024/year, compared to Encinitas at $285,048/year — a difference of $20,976 (7.36%).

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

Encinitas nurse anesthetists earn $137.04/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $147.12/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Encinitas and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Encinitas = $252,032, San Francisco = $270,578), job availability (16 vs 142 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $187,102 in Encinitas and $183,733 in San Francisco. The Encinitas 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