Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Los Angeles, CA: $143.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Los Angeles, CA runs $143.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $297,642 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Los Angeles's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.6, 14% above national), each hour of work buys what $126.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $178,580 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Los Angeles, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay is projected to be $143.09 in 2026, marking a significant increase compared to the national hourly median of $119.66. This attractive hourly rate allows for substantial earnings even for those seeking part-time work, such as those opting for a three-day workweek, where earnings can accumulate nicely in typical settings like main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and chronic pain procedure rooms. Nurse anesthetists in Los Angeles benefit from a broad hourly range, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $116.06 and top earners making as much as $148.15. These figures are informed by reliable data from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected for the upcoming year.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $116.06 | $928.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $140.94 | $1127.49 |
| Median (P50) | $143.09 | $1144.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146.10 | $1168.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148.15 | $1185.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Angeles
Based on $143.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $143.09/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Angeles, CA can expect to earn approximately $297,634 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $171,712. With a cost-of-living index of 113.57 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Los Angeles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Angeles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $5,723.72 | $24,803 | $297,634 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $3,434.23 | $14,882 | $178,580 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $2,289.49 | $9,921 | $119,053 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Los Angeles) | $143.09 |
| 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 Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $297,642 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.59% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 5.70% above the California state average of $281,592.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $143.09/hr = $178,580/year (purchasing power: $157,248).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $297,634/year (purchasing power: $262,080).
CoL index: 113.566 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$100.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$136.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$143.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $105.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $112.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $116.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $122.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $152.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $136.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Los Angeles grew 35.4% from $100.49/hr (2019) to $136.02/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $150.53/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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles
Focusing on part-time earning potential, a nurse anesthetist working three days a week at 24 hours can anticipate a considerable annual income that often surpasses many full-time professions, thanks to their favorable hourly structure. The world of per diem nurse anesthetist pay in Los Angeles can be even more lucrative, with those in locum tenens roles commonly billing between $200 and $350 per hour in premium markets. The staffing realities often see agencies covering travel and lodging expenses, further sweetening the deal for CRNAs. In considering employment conditions, nurses working in hospital systems, CRNA-owned practices, and clinics may face variations in hourly pay; those in hospital roles may find benefits like health insurance, while independent contractors receive higher pay but forgo these perks. This dynamic leads many nurse anesthetists to weigh their options carefully between higher hourly rates and comprehensive benefits, especially in a market with a 5.20% growth rate projected over the next five years. Negotiation strategies become vital in this context, with a focus on articulating one’s specialized skills and leveraging knowledge of the market rates, particularly in an urban hub like Los Angeles.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Los Angeles in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse anesthetists make in Los Angeles?
Are nurse anesthetists in Los Angeles paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time nurse anesthetist make per year in Los Angeles?
Do nurse anesthetists earn more per hour working part-time in Los Angeles?
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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 Los Angeles. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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