Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Oakley vs San Diego: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Oakley, CA
$272,495
$131.01/hr
San Diego, CA
$298,265
$143.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOakley, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$272,495$298,265
Hourly Rate$131.01$143.40
Entry Level (P10)$173,212$190,201
25th Percentile$248,066$255,081
75th Percentile$338,728$381,779
Top Earner (P90)$385,277$445,118
Total Employed8307
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Oakley ($272,495) and San Diego ($298,265) nurse anesthetist salaries.OakleySan DiegoMedian Salary$272,495$298,265Entry Level (P10)$173,212$190,201Top Earner (P90)$385,277$445,118US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Oakley and San Diego is $25,770 (9.46%). San Diego's median is +19.84% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Oakley spans $212,065,San Diego spans $254,917. San Diego has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Oakley
P10 (Entry)$173,212
P25$248,066
Median$272,495
P75$338,728
P90 (Top)$385,277
San Diego
P10 (Entry)$190,201
P25$255,081
Median$298,265
P75$381,779
P90 (Top)$445,118

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Diego ($263,718 effective) pays 9.46% more than Oakley ($240,933 effective).

Oakley
Nominal: $272,495
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $240,933
San Diego
Nominal: $298,265
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $263,718

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Oakley if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Diego if…

  • Higher median salary ($298,265/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($445,118)
  • Larger job market (307 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $263,718)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Oakley, CA

+-9.0%

$284,656 (2024) → $259,026 (2025)

San Diego, CA

+-9.0%

$311,576 (2024) → $283,522 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Oakley or San Diego?

San Diego has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $298,265/year, compared to Oakley at $272,495/year — a difference of $25,770 (9.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Oakley and San Diego?

Oakley nurse anesthetists earn $131.01/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $143.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Oakley to San Diego as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Oakley and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Oakley = $240,933, San Diego = $263,718), job availability (8 vs 307 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Oakley vs San Diego?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $173,212 in Oakley and $190,201 in San Diego. The San Diego 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