Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Irvine, CA: $140.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Irvine, CA runs $140.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $292,415 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Irvine's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $124.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $175,455 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Irvine, nurse anesthetist hourly pay is projected to reach $140.59 in 2026, significantly above the national median of $119.66. This elevated hourly rate represents a strong earning potential for those working in various healthcare settings, whether full-time, part-time, or per diem. For nurse anesthetists opting for part-time work, such as a three-day week, this translates to an impressive income, while those in per diem roles can take advantage of the flexibility and potentially higher wages offered by different facilities like operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and pain management clinics. The hourly range for this profession varies greatly, with entry-level positions starting around $90.86 and top earners reaching up to $212.61 per hour, indicating a wide spectrum of earning potential based on experience and setting.
About the Irvine 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) | $90.86 | $726.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $121.59 | $972.72 |
| Median (P50) | $140.59 | $1124.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179.94 | $1439.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $212.61 | $1700.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Irvine
Based on $140.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $140.59/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Irvine, CA can expect to earn approximately $292,426 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $168,707. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Irvine.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Irvine
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $5,623.57 | $24,369 | $292,426 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $3,374.14 | $14,621 | $175,455 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $2,249.43 | $9,748 | $116,970 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Irvine) | $140.59 |
| 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 Irvine, CA earn a median of $292,415 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.49% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 3.90% above the California state average of $281,439.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $140.59/hr = $175,455/year (purchasing power: $155,133).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $292,426/year (purchasing power: $258,555).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$98.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$133.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$140.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Irvine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $103.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $110.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $114.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $120.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $146.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $133.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Irvine grew 35.4% from $98.73/hr (2019) to $133.64/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $147.90/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 Irvine 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 Irvine
Exploring the financial Outlook for nurse anesthetists reveals that a part-time worker in Irvine, clocking in at 24 hours weekly, can expect to earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts but might still reach a respectable annual takeaway depending on the exact hours worked. Many CRNAs in per diem or locum tenens roles command impressive rates, often billing between $200 and $350 per hour in premium markets, which gives these professionals flexibility as well as a substantial earning potential. Hourly rates can also shift depending on the employer; those in hospital systems may have more structured W-2 salaries while CRNAs in ambulatory surgery centers or private practices may operate as 1099 contractors, leading to variability in benefits packages. Compensation often comes down to a trade-off; while some nurse anesthetists may accept slightly lower hourly rates for the robust benefits provided by hospitals, others may prefer the higher pay without the associated perks through independent practice. Negotiating effectively in this environment may hinge on highlighting skills, experience, and the unique needs of the employer in Irvine's competitive healthcare market.
More salary data for Irvine, CA:
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.
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 Irvine. 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 Irvine 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