Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Rancho Cordova vs San Diego: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

Rancho Cordova, CA
$279,184
$134.22/hr
San Diego, CA
$298,265
$143.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRancho Cordova, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$279,184$298,265
Hourly Rate$134.22$143.40
Entry Level (P10)$173,856$190,201
25th Percentile$251,601$255,081
75th Percentile$343,443$381,779
Top Earner (P90)$408,372$445,118
Total Employed20307
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rancho Cordova ($279,184) and San Diego ($298,265) nurse anesthetist salaries.Rancho CordovaSan DiegoMedian Salary$279,184$298,265Entry Level (P10)$173,856$190,201Top Earner (P90)$408,372$445,118US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Rancho Cordova and San Diego is $19,081 (6.83%). 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 Rancho Cordova spans $234,516,San Diego spans $254,917. San Diego has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Rancho Cordova
P10 (Entry)$173,856
P25$251,601
Median$279,184
P75$343,443
P90 (Top)$408,372
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 6.83% more than Rancho Cordova ($246,847 effective).

Rancho Cordova
Nominal: $279,184
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $246,847
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 Rancho Cordova 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 Rancho Cordova grew -9.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -9.0% growth in San Diego over the same period.

Rancho Cordova, CA

+-9.0%

$291,643 (2024) → $265,384 (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: Rancho Cordova or San Diego?

San Diego has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $298,265/year, compared to Rancho Cordova at $279,184/year — a difference of $19,081 (6.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rancho Cordova and San Diego?

Rancho Cordova nurse anesthetists earn $134.22/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $143.40/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rancho Cordova and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rancho Cordova = $246,847, San Diego = $263,718), job availability (20 vs 307 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $173,856 in Rancho Cordova 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