Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

San Jose vs South Gate: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

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

San Jose, CA
$304,151
$146.23/hr
South Gate, CA
$277,289
$133.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Jose, CASouth Gate, CA
Median Salary$304,151$277,289
Hourly Rate$146.23$133.31
Entry Level (P10)$179,753$190,706
25th Percentile$267,010$241,560
75th Percentile$382,409$348,992
Top Earner (P90)$446,799$402,538
Total Employed16825
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Jose ($304,151) and South Gate ($277,289) nurse anesthetist salaries.San JoseSouth GateMedian Salary$304,151$277,289Entry Level (P10)$179,753$190,706Top Earner (P90)$446,799$402,538US Median $248,893

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Jose and South Gate is $26,862 (9.69%). 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 Jose spans $267,046,South Gate spans $211,832. San Jose has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Jose
P10 (Entry)$179,753
P25$267,010
Median$304,151
P75$382,409
P90 (Top)$446,799
South Gate
P10 (Entry)$190,706
P25$241,560
Median$277,289
P75$348,992
P90 (Top)$402,538

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Jose ($268,922 effective) pays 9.69% more than South Gate ($245,172 effective).

San Jose
Nominal: $304,151
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $268,922
South Gate
Nominal: $277,289
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $245,172

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose South Gate if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in San Jose grew 27.3% from 2022 to 2025, compared to -9.0% growth in South Gate over the same period.

San Jose, CA

+27.3%

$227,100 (2022) → $289,117 (2025)

South Gate, CA

+-9.0%

$289,664 (2024) → $263,583 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: San Jose or South Gate?

San Jose has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $304,151/year, compared to South Gate at $277,289/year — a difference of $26,862 (9.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Jose and South Gate?

San Jose nurse anesthetists earn $146.23/hr while South Gate hygienists earn $133.31/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Jose and South Gate. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Jose = $268,922, South Gate = $245,172), job availability (168 vs 25 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $179,753 in San Jose and $190,706 in South Gate. The South Gate 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