Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Murrieta vs San Jose: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Murrieta, CA
$280,912
$135.06/hr
San Jose, CA
$304,151
$146.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMurrieta, CASan Jose, CA
Median Salary$280,912$304,151
Hourly Rate$135.06$146.23
Entry Level (P10)$187,471$179,753
25th Percentile$246,071$267,010
75th Percentile$359,568$382,409
Top Earner (P90)$411,232$446,799
Total Employed25168
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Murrieta ($280,912) and San Jose ($304,151) nurse anesthetist salaries.MurrietaSan JoseMedian Salary$280,912$304,151Entry Level (P10)$187,471$179,753Top Earner (P90)$411,232$446,799US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Murrieta and San Jose is $23,239 (8.27%). 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 Murrieta spans $223,761,San Jose spans $267,046. San Jose has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Murrieta
P10 (Entry)$187,471
P25$246,071
Median$280,912
P75$359,568
P90 (Top)$411,232
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 8.27% more than Murrieta ($248,375 effective).

Murrieta
Nominal: $280,912
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $248,375
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 Murrieta 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 Murrieta grew -9.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.3% growth in San Jose over the same period.

Murrieta, CA

+-9.0%

$293,448 (2024) → $267,027 (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: Murrieta or San Jose?

San Jose has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $304,151/year, compared to Murrieta at $280,912/year — a difference of $23,239 (8.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Murrieta and San Jose?

Murrieta nurse anesthetists earn $135.06/hr while San Jose hygienists earn $146.23/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Murrieta and San Jose. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Murrieta = $248,375, San Jose = $268,922), job availability (25 vs 168 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $187,471 in Murrieta and $179,753 in San Jose. The Murrieta 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