Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Carlsbad, CA: $135.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Carlsbad, CA runs $135.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $281,935 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Carlsbad's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $119.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $169,167 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carlsbad, California, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay is projected to be $135.55 in 2026, positioning it above the national hourly median of $119.66. This attractive rate signifies a solid earning potential for part-time practitioners who may choose to work three days a week. For such professionals, their skilled expertise can lead to substantial compensation in environments like operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and dental anesthesia clinics. The hourly compensation ranges from $90.68 for those starting in the field to approximately $199.77 for the top earners, reflecting the diverse capabilities and experience levels within this essential role in healthcare.
About the Carlsbad 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) | $90.68 | $725.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116.37 | $930.98 |
| Median (P50) | $135.55 | $1084.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171.74 | $1373.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199.77 | $1598.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carlsbad
Based on $135.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $135.55/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carlsbad, CA can expect to earn approximately $281,944 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $162,660. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Carlsbad.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carlsbad
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $5,422.01 | $23,495 | $281,944 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $3,253.20 | $14,097 | $169,167 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $2,168.80 | $9,398 | $112,778 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Carlsbad) | $135.55 |
| 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 Carlsbad, CA earn a median of $281,935 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.28% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 0.20% above the California state average of $281,372.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $135.55/hr = $169,167/year (purchasing power: $149,573).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $281,944/year (purchasing power: $249,288).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$95.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$128.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$135.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Carlsbad (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $99.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $106.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $110.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $115.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $141.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $128.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Carlsbad grew 35.4% from $95.19/hr (2019) to $128.85/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $142.60/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 Carlsbad 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 Carlsbad
Nurse anesthetists in Carlsbad who work part-time can expect to take home significantly different annual earnings compared to their full-time counterparts. A typical part-time schedule of 24 hours a week could yield around $169,110 annually, while full-time practitioners would have the potential to earn over $281,935. For those considering per diem opportunities, pay structures allow for heightened earnings, with some locum tenens CRNAs charging between $200-$350 per hour or achieving $1,500-$2,500 for full-day assignments. The hourly rates can vary across workplace settings: hospital systems might offer W-2 employment with steady benefits, while CRNA-owned practices might provide partnership tracks but with less security. As professionals negotiate their rates, understanding the value of benefits versus hourly payment is crucial; many may opt for slightly lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance. Knowledge of these dynamics can facilitate salaries that reflect both individual capabilities and local market conditions.
More salary data for Carlsbad, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Carlsbad in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse anesthetists make in Carlsbad?
Are nurse anesthetists in Carlsbad paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time nurse anesthetist make per year in Carlsbad?
Do nurse anesthetists earn more per hour working part-time in Carlsbad?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Carlsbad. 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 Carlsbad 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