Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Fullerton, CA: $139.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Fullerton, CA runs $139.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $289,169 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Fullerton's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $122.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $173,499 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fullerton, California, the projected median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in 2026 is $139.02, which notably surpasses the national hourly median of $119.66. This advantageous pay scale provides substantial financial benefits for those working part-time or in per-diem positions, particularly in settings like operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and pain management clinics. With an hourly range from $87.65 for entry-level professionals to $203.11 for the highest earners, nurse anesthetists in Fullerton have various earning potentials based on experience and work setting. These figures are derived from projected annual salaries, indicating that those who choose flexible arrangements can still achieve a desirable income while balancing other commitments.
About the Fullerton 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) | $87.65 | $701.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $118.32 | $946.55 |
| Median (P50) | $139.02 | $1112.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175.08 | $1400.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203.11 | $1624.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fullerton
Based on $139.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $139.02/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fullerton, CA can expect to earn approximately $289,165 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $166,826. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fullerton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fullerton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $5,560.87 | $24,097 | $289,165 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $3,336.52 | $14,458 | $173,499 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $2,224.35 | $9,639 | $115,666 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Fullerton) | $139.02 |
| 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 Fullerton, CA earn a median of $289,169 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.18% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 2.70% above the California state average of $281,566.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $139.02/hr = $173,499/year (purchasing power: $153,403).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $289,165/year (purchasing power: $255,672).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$97.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$132.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$139.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Fullerton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $102.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $109.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $113.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $118.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $145.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $132.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Fullerton grew 35.4% from $97.63/hr (2019) to $132.15/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $146.25/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 Fullerton 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 Fullerton
In terms of part-time earning potential, a nurse anesthetist in Fullerton working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, could realistically expect to earn around $65,000 each year based on a consistent hourly rate. For those considering per diem work, rates can vary significantly, with locum tenens CRNAs billing between $200 and $350 per hour in premium markets, frequently securing full-week contracts at daily rates ranging from $1,500 to $2,500. Hourly earnings also differ among employers; for instance, hospital systems typically offer W-2 employment, while some ambulatory surgery centers and CRNA-owned practices may operate as 1099 entities. This could influence the choice between accepting positions with lower hourly rates that provide benefits or opting for higher-paying roles that require more personal financial management. Nurse anesthetists in Fullerton should leverage their experience during negotiations, focusing on the overall compensation package instead of just the hourly rate, to align their financial goals with their lifestyle needs.
More salary data for Fullerton, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Fullerton in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse anesthetists make in Fullerton?
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How much does a full-time nurse anesthetist make per year in Fullerton?
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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 Fullerton. 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 Fullerton 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