Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

San Clemente vs San Jose: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

San Clemente, CA
$279,942
$134.59/hr
San Jose, CA
$304,151
$146.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Clemente, CASan Jose, CA
Median Salary$279,942$304,151
Hourly Rate$134.59$146.23
Entry Level (P10)$175,259$179,753
25th Percentile$247,070$267,010
75th Percentile$355,744$382,409
Top Earner (P90)$411,004$446,799
Total Employed10168
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Clemente ($279,942) and San Jose ($304,151) nurse anesthetist salaries.San ClementeSan JoseMedian Salary$279,942$304,151Entry Level (P10)$175,259$179,753Top Earner (P90)$411,004$446,799US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Clemente and San Jose is $24,209 (8.65%). 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 San Clemente spans $235,745,San Jose spans $267,046. San Jose has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

San Clemente
P10 (Entry)$175,259
P25$247,070
Median$279,942
P75$355,744
P90 (Top)$411,004
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 8.65% more than San Clemente ($247,517 effective).

San Clemente
Nominal: $279,942
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $247,517
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 San Clemente 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 San Clemente grew -9.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.3% growth in San Jose over the same period.

San Clemente, CA

+-9.0%

$292,435 (2024) → $266,105 (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: San Clemente or San Jose?

San Jose has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $304,151/year, compared to San Clemente at $279,942/year — a difference of $24,209 (8.65%).

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

San Clemente nurse anesthetists earn $134.59/hr while San Jose hygienists earn $146.23/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Clemente and San Jose. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Clemente = $247,517, San Jose = $268,922), job availability (10 vs 168 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $175,259 in San Clemente 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