Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

San Francisco vs Torrance: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$306,024
$147.12/hr
Torrance, CA
$286,325
$137.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CATorrance, CA
Median Salary$306,024$286,325
Hourly Rate$147.12$137.65
Entry Level (P10)$183,733$176,028
25th Percentile$252,943$240,279
75th Percentile$391,710$366,496
Top Earner (P90)$473,097$431,024
Total Employed14226
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($306,024) and Torrance ($286,325) nurse anesthetist salaries.San FranciscoTorranceMedian Salary$306,024$286,325Entry Level (P10)$183,733$176,028Top Earner (P90)$473,097$431,024US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Torrance is $19,699 (6.88%). San Francisco's median is +22.95% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $289,364,Torrance spans $254,996. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$183,733
P25$252,943
Median$306,024
P75$391,710
P90 (Top)$473,097
Torrance
P10 (Entry)$176,028
P25$240,279
Median$286,325
P75$366,496
P90 (Top)$431,024

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($270,578 effective) pays 6.88% more than Torrance ($253,161 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $306,024
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $270,578
Torrance
Nominal: $286,325
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $253,161

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($306,024/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($473,097)
  • Larger job market (142 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $270,578)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Torrance if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in San Francisco grew 23.7% from 2022 to 2025, compared to -9.0% growth in Torrance over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+23.7%

$235,120 (2022) → $290,897 (2025)

Torrance, CA

+-9.0%

$299,103 (2024) → $272,172 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: San Francisco or Torrance?

San Francisco has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $306,024/year, compared to Torrance at $286,325/year — a difference of $19,699 (6.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Torrance?

San Francisco nurse anesthetists earn $147.12/hr while Torrance hygienists earn $137.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to Torrance as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Torrance. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $270,578, Torrance = $253,161), job availability (142 vs 26 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in San Francisco vs Torrance?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $183,733 in San Francisco and $176,028 in Torrance. The San Francisco 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