Entry-Level CRNA Salary (2026): What New Grad Nurse Anesthetists Actually Make
The average entry-level CRNA salary is $173,922 per year ($83.62/hour) in 2026, based on the 10th percentile of BLS wage data. New CRNA starting pay ranges from $48,750 to $250,976 in Lansing, MI — driven by independent practice states (opt-out), ACT (anesthesia care team) vs CRNA-only practice, rural shortage premium, locum tenens, surgicenter / hospital / pain clinic setting, and DNP-required entry as of 2025.
2019 BLS
$127,480
2025 BLS
$155,250
2026 Current Est.
$163,323
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
National Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary Trend (10th Percentile)
2019–2025: BLS OEWS actual data. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Entry-Level Salary (P10) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $133,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $139,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $163,323 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $171,816 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist salaries (10th percentile) have shown consistent growth over 7 years of BLS data. The 10th percentile represents typical starting pay for new graduates and early-career professionals. At the current 5.20% CAGR, starting salaries are projected to continue rising through 2027.
Note: BLS actual data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. Estimated and projected values are calculated using a 5.20% historical CAGR. Actual compensation may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Nurse Anesthetist Salary by State
Entry-level nurse anesthetist pay varies dramatically by state. The top-paying states offer starting salaries well above $173,922, while others fall below the national average. Here are all 51 states ranked by average starting salary for nurse anesthetists.
| # | State | Avg Starting Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | $214,521 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $214,052 |
| 3 | Nebraska | $212,654 |
| 4 | West Virginia | $210,605 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | $210,159 |
| 6 | Kentucky | $206,344 |
| 7 | Maine | $204,607 |
| 8 | Washington | $203,465 |
| 9 | Louisiana | $201,568 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $197,439 |
| 11 | New Jersey | $197,298 |
| 12 | South Carolina | $195,047 |
| 13 | South Dakota | $193,229 |
| 14 | Missouri | $189,813 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $182,684 |
| 16 | California | $182,447 |
| 17 | Ohio | $182,365 |
| 18 | Oklahoma | $181,796 |
| 19 | Massachusetts | $180,418 |
| 20 | Arizona | $179,443 |
| 21 | Texas | $179,423 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $175,688 |
| 23 | Colorado | $174,995 |
| 24 | Iowa | $170,475 |
| 25 | Virginia | $167,448 |
| 26 | Idaho | $165,649 |
| 27 | Nevada | $163,658 |
| 28 | Kansas | $163,291 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $161,784 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $161,649 |
| 31 | New York | $159,671 |
| 32 | Mississippi | $159,554 |
| 33 | Rhode Island | $157,744 |
| 34 | Utah | $156,733 |
| 35 | Alaska | $155,846 |
| 36 | Georgia | $155,387 |
| 37 | Connecticut | $153,885 |
| 38 | Wyoming | $153,710 |
| 39 | Delaware | $153,313 |
| 40 | Vermont | $152,708 |
| 41 | Montana | $151,532 |
| 42 | Indiana | $144,186 |
| 43 | Hawaii | $143,521 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $143,304 |
| 45 | New Mexico | $141,728 |
| 46 | Florida | $140,557 |
| 47 | Alabama | $137,743 |
| 48 | Oregon | $135,890 |
| 49 | Illinois | $129,868 |
| 50 | Maryland | $113,832 |
| 51 | District of Columbia | $113,458 |
Beginner Nurse Anesthetist Pay: Top 20 Cities
These 20 metro areas offer the highest starting salaries for new nurse anesthetists. Each figure represents the 10th percentile of local BLS wage data — the typical pay range for professionals with little to no experience.
| # | City | Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lansing, MI | $250,976 |
| 2 | Grand Forks, ND | $249,787 |
| 3 | Springfield, MA | $249,682 |
| 4 | New Haven, CT | $249,282 |
| 5 | Lewiston, ME | $247,998 |
| 6 | Manchester, NH | $246,210 |
| 7 | Atlantic City, NJ | $243,896 |
| 8 | Charleston, WV | $243,685 |
| 9 | Appleton, WI | $242,023 |
| 10 | Los Angeles, CA | $241,402 |
| 11 | Phoenix, AZ | $240,266 |
| 12 | Boise City, ID | $239,845 |
| 13 | Baton Rouge, LA | $239,235 |
| 14 | Milwaukee, WI | $238,667 |
| 15 | Seattle, WA | $238,194 |
| 16 | Morgantown, WV | $238,068 |
| 17 | Des Moines, IA | $237,500 |
| 18 | Flint, MI | $236,605 |
| 19 | Saginaw, MI | $236,069 |
| 20 | Madison, WI | $235,322 |
Nurse Anesthetist Salary With No Experience: New Grad CRNA Reality
The 10th percentile of BLS wage data is the standard proxy for entry-level CRNA pay — predominantly new DNP grads in their first 6–12 months post-certification. Nationally, that sits at $173,922 ($83.62/hour) for 2026. New CRNA offers are among the highest entry-level salaries in healthcare — averaging $185,000–$240,000+ in shortage areas with sign-on bonuses commonly $30,000–$75,000.
What New Grad CRNAs Actually Earn (Year 1)
- Rural shortage area CRNA (highest sign-on) — independent practice states (TN, KS, IA, NE, ND, MT, NM, AK, KY, MS). $220,000–$280,000+ base + $30,000–$75,000 sign-on + housing assistance. Loan forgiveness common.
- Texas (no state income tax, ACT-friendly) — Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio. $190,000–$240,000 + sign-on + bonus.
- Florida (no state income tax) — Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville. $180,000–$230,000 + sign-on.
- Independent practice state (CRNA-only practice) — TN, KS, IA, NE, ND, MT, NM, AK, KY, MS, NH, WI, OR, WA (opt-out states). Premium independent rates.
- ACT (Anesthesia Care Team) state (CA, NY, NJ, IL, MA) — CRNA supervised by MD anesthesiologist. $190,000–$240,000 base + bonus.
- Locum tenens new grad CRNA — $200–$300/hour. Variable income but premium daily rate. Common after 6-12 months experience.
- Surgicenter / ASC CRNA — premium lifestyle hours. $200,000–$260,000.
- Hospital W-2 CRNA — broadest entry. Stable base + benefits + pension.
- Pain clinic CRNA — specialty subspecialty path. Premium pay.
- Academic medical center (UAB, Penn, Duke, Vanderbilt, Mayo, Cleveland Clinic) — strong benefits + PSLF.
- VA / federal CRNA (GS-13 to GS-14) — $150,000–$200,000 base + federal pension + PSLF.
- Military CRNA — military pay + signing bonus.
DNP Program + NBCRNA Certification
- DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) requirement — DNP required for new entry CRNAs as of 2025 (Council on Accreditation transition complete).
- 3-4 year DNP nurse anesthesia program — accredited by COA (Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs).
- RN + BSN prerequisite — required before DNP entry.
- 1+ year acute care ICU experience (preferred 2+) — required for DNP entry. Most CRNA programs prefer 2-3 years critical care.
- NBCRNA NCE (National Certification Exam) — required for CRNA designation.
- CCRN (Critical Care RN certification) — preferred pre-CRNA.
- State APRN license — state-specific advanced practice license.
- NBCRNA CPC (Continued Professional Certification) — 4-year recertification cycle.
- DEA controlled substance registration — required for controlled substance prescribing.
- State-specific independent vs ACT practice rules — verify state.
Setting Selection: Rural / Independent / ACT / Hospital / ASC / Pain / Federal
- Rural shortage area (highest sign-on + loan forgiveness) — premium rural premium.
- Independent practice state (CRNA-only practice) — premium scope + reimbursement.
- ACT state (CA, NY, NJ, IL, MA) — supervised by MD. Stable hospital base.
- Locum tenens (after 6-12 months experience) — premium hourly + flexibility.
- Surgicenter / ASC — premium lifestyle hours.
- Hospital W-2 — broadest entry market.
- Pain clinic subspecialty — premium subspecialty.
- Academic medical center — strong benefits + PSLF.
- VA / federal CRNA — pension + PSLF.
- Military CRNA (Army, Navy, Air Force) — pension + signing bonus.
Year-by-Year Progression to CRNA National Median
- Year 0–1 (P10 baseline, new grad CRNA) — $173,922 national average.
- Year 1–2 (post-orientation, full clinical caseload) — 10–15% raise typical.
- Year 2–4 (productivity bonus / RVU stacking) — approaches national median.
- Year 4–7 (locum supplemental / call premium) — typical $250,000–$320,000+ total comp.
- Year 7+ (lead CRNA / chief CRNA / partner) — $300,000–$450,000+ at premium independent practice / surgicenter ownership.
- Locum / 1099 path — $250,000–$500,000+ for senior locum traveling.
2026 New CRNA Salary Outlook
Entry-level CRNA pay has grown at a compound annual rate of 5.20% nationally — driven by acute structural anesthesiologist shortage, opt-out state expansion (more states moving to CRNA independent practice), aging population requiring more surgical procedures, ASC / surgicenter growth, locum tenens market premium, and continued CRNA scope-of-practice victories. The BLS projects nurse anesthetist employment growth at 38% through 2033 — the fastest-growing advanced practice nursing specialty.
Entry-Level to Mid-Career: Nurse Anesthetist Salary Growth
Nurse Anesthetist salaries follow a predictable growth curve. Here's how pay typically progresses from entry-level to experienced:
How to Maximize Your Starting CRNA Salary
New grad CRNAs who strategically target rural shortage areas, independent-practice states, or locum tenens consistently land starting compensation 30–80% above the national average. Here's how to maximize your first CRNA total comp:
1. Target Rural Shortage Area or Independent Practice State
- Rural shortage area (highest sign-on + housing) — premium rural premium with loan forgiveness.
- Independent practice / opt-out state (TN, KS, IA, NE, ND, MT, NM, AK, KY, MS, NH, WI, OR, WA) — premium scope + reimbursement.
- Texas (no state income tax + ACT-friendly) — strong real take-home.
- Florida (no state income tax) — strong real take-home.
- Surgicenter / ASC (premium lifestyle) — premium lifestyle hours.
- Highest-paying new CRNA metro — Lansing, MI at $250,976.
2. Complete DNP + Pass NBCRNA NCE
- DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) requirement — required for new entry CRNAs as of 2025.
- 3-4 year COA-accredited DNP nurse anesthesia program — required.
- RN + BSN prerequisite — required before DNP entry.
- 2-3 years critical care ICU experience pre-DNP — required for most programs.
- CCRN certification (pre-DNP) — preferred for application strength.
- NBCRNA NCE pass before job search — required for CRNA designation.
- State APRN license — apply during final clinical semester.
- DEA registration — apply post-license.
3. Negotiate Sign-On + Loan Forgiveness
- Rural sign-on bonus — $30,000–$75,000+ common in shortage areas.
- Loan forgiveness (HRSA NHSC, state-specific) — up to $50,000–$100,000 federal NHSC. Premium combination.
- Relocation assistance — $5,000–$25,000 typical.
- Housing assistance — common in rural shortage areas.
- Sign-on bonus repayment terms — verify 2-3 year contract terms.
- RVU / productivity bonus structure — verify base + bonus components.
- Call pay structure — verify weekend / overnight call differential.
- CME stipend + license renewal — standard at most employers.
4. Choose Setting Based on Career Plan
- Hospital W-2 (broadest entry) — stable base + benefits + pension.
- Independent practice / opt-out state CRNA-only — premium scope + reimbursement.
- Surgicenter / ASC (premium lifestyle) — premium lifestyle hours.
- Locum tenens (after 6-12 months experience) — premium hourly $200–$300/hour.
- Academic medical center — strong benefits + PSLF.
- VA / federal CRNA — pension + PSLF.
- Pain clinic subspecialty — premium subspecialty.
- Military CRNA — military pay + signing bonus.
5. Plan Locum / Partner / Independent Practice Path
- Locum tenens (post 1 year) — premium hourly + flexibility.
- Independent practice / 1099 path — premium for opt-out state CRNAs.
- Surgicenter ownership / partner equity — premium long-term wealth path.
- CRNA group practice partnership — premium model in some markets.
- Pain clinic subspecialty (post 2-3 years) — premium subspecialty pay.
- Lead / chief CRNA admin track — premium leadership.
- Academic / educator path (post DNP) — premium teaching + benefits.
- Federal senior CRNA (VA, GS-14) — pension + PSLF stack.
More Salary Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. We applied a 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS trends, to estimate current 2026 compensation.