Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

San Diego vs Woodland: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

San Diego, CA
$298,265
$143.40/hr
Woodland, CA
$285,114
$137.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Diego, CAWoodland, CA
Median Salary$298,265$285,114
Hourly Rate$143.40$137.08
Entry Level (P10)$190,201$186,964
25th Percentile$255,081$247,118
75th Percentile$381,779$357,800
Top Earner (P90)$445,118$411,069
Total Employed30715
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Diego ($298,265) and Woodland ($285,114) nurse anesthetist salaries.San DiegoWoodlandMedian Salary$298,265$285,114Entry Level (P10)$190,201$186,964Top Earner (P90)$445,118$411,069US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Diego and Woodland is $13,151 (4.61%). 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 San Diego spans $254,917,Woodland spans $224,105. San Diego has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Diego
P10 (Entry)$190,201
P25$255,081
Median$298,265
P75$381,779
P90 (Top)$445,118
Woodland
P10 (Entry)$186,964
P25$247,118
Median$285,114
P75$357,800
P90 (Top)$411,069

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Diego ($263,718 effective) pays 4.61% more than Woodland ($252,090 effective).

San Diego
Nominal: $298,265
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $263,718
Woodland
Nominal: $285,114
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $252,090

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Woodland if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

San Diego, CA

+-9.0%

$311,576 (2024) → $283,522 (2025)

Woodland, CA

+-9.0%

$297,838 (2024) → $271,021 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Diego has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $298,265/year, compared to Woodland at $285,114/year — a difference of $13,151 (4.61%).

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

San Diego nurse anesthetists earn $143.40/hr while Woodland hygienists earn $137.08/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Diego and Woodland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Diego = $263,718, Woodland = $252,090), job availability (307 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $190,201 in San Diego and $186,964 in Woodland. 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