Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Berkeley, CA: $135.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Berkeley, CA runs $135.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $282,549 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Berkeley's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $120.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $169,534 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Berkeley, California, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay stands at $135.84, which notably exceeds the national hourly median of $119.66. This elevated rate reflects not only the cost of living in the area but also the demand for qualified anesthesia providers across various settings like main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, OB suites, and pain management clinics. For part-time practitioners working three days a week, this hourly rate offers a robust income potential, translating to approximately $106,800 annually based on a standard schedule. The hourly range for nurse anesthetists in Berkeley extends from $91.33 for entry-level positions (10th percentile) to $192.01 for top earners (90th percentile), showcasing a significant disparity between new professionals and those with extensive experience in the field.
About the Berkeley Market
Salary estimated from California average ($260,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91.33 | $730.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $119.92 | $959.34 |
| Median (P50) | $135.84 | $1086.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167.25 | $1337.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192.01 | $1536.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Berkeley
Based on $135.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $135.84/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Berkeley, CA can expect to earn approximately $282,557 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $163,014. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Berkeley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Berkeley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $5,433.79 | $23,546 | $282,557 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $3,260.27 | $14,128 | $169,534 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $2,173.52 | $9,419 | $113,023 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Berkeley) | $135.84 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $60.12 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $60.58 |
| Nurse Midwife (National Avg) | $63.01 |
| Anesthesiologist (National Avg) | $174.04 |
Nurse Anesthetists in Berkeley, CA earn a median of $282,549 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.52% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 0.40% above the California state average of $281,424.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $135.84/hr = $169,534/year (purchasing power: $149,898).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $282,557/year (purchasing power: $249,829).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$95.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$129.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$135.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Berkeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $100.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $106.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $110.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $116.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $141.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $129.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Berkeley grew 35.4% from $95.40/hr (2019) to $129.13/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $142.91/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse anesthetists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Berkeley metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Nurse Anesthetist in Berkeley
Considering part-time employment scenarios, a nurse anesthetist working three days a week (24 hours) could see their annual take-home significantly differ from full-time earnings. Salaries for per diem or locum tenens positions can be even more lucrative; CRNAs in premium markets may bill between $200 and $350 per hour, with some full-week agency assignments yielding $1,500 to $2,500 daily. Variations in hourly rates arise from employer type; those working within large hospital systems may find a different pay structure compared to CRNAs in private practices or VA facilities. While some nurse anesthetists may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits within a W-2 employment model, others prefer the higher hourly compensation without benefits typical of locum tenens arrangements. For those negotiating in Berkeley, it's vital to assess total compensation packages, including benefits, to make informed decisions about their career paths in the evolving landscape of anesthesia practice management.
More salary data for Berkeley, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Berkeley in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nurse anesthetists in Berkeley. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Berkeley is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov