Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in San Luis Obispo, CA: $131.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in San Luis Obispo, CA runs $131.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $274,308 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against San Luis Obispo's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $116.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $164,585 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay in San Luis Obispo is projected to be $131.88, which reflects a robust 10.21% increase compared to the national hourly median of $119.66. This competitive rate offers diverse opportunities for professionals working part-time or in per-diem roles within various medical settings such as hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and military facilities. For those in the entry-level tier, the hourly rate starts at approximately $85.14, while seasoned CRNAs in the area can earn up to $187.83, signifying a broad spectrum of pay based on experience and the complexity of the procedures performed. Ultimately, these figures suggest that San Luis Obispo holds considerable appeal for nurse anesthetists, particularly those seeking flexible positions in an evolving healthcare landscape.
About the San Luis Obispo 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) | $85.14 | $681.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113.09 | $904.72 |
| Median (P50) | $131.88 | $1055.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165.07 | $1320.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $187.83 | $1502.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Luis Obispo
Based on $131.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $131.88/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Luis Obispo, CA can expect to earn approximately $274,308 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $158,254. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Luis Obispo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Luis Obispo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $5,275.15 | $22,859 | $274,308 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $3,165.09 | $13,715 | $164,585 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $2,110.06 | $9,144 | $109,723 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (San Luis Obispo) | $131.88 |
| 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 San Luis Obispo, CA earn a median of $274,308 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.21% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 2.60% below the California state average of $281,630.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $131.88/hr = $164,585/year (purchasing power: $145,521).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $274,308/year (purchasing power: $242,536).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$92.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$125.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$131.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in San Luis Obispo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $97.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $103.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $107.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $112.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $137.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $125.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in San Luis Obispo grew 35.4% from $92.61/hr (2019) to $125.36/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $138.74/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 San Luis Obispo 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 San Luis Obispo
Exploring part-time earning potential, a nurse anesthetist working three days a week for 24 hours would bring home about $174,686 annually, a figure that contrasts with the higher income opportunities afforded by full-time roles. Per diem nurse anesthetist pay in San Luis Obispo can also vary significantly, with locum tenens professionals often billing between $200 and $350 per hour in more competitive markets, alongside daily rates of $1,500 to $2,500 for extended assignments. Variations in pay can also arise depending on the employer type; those in hospital systems may receive stable W-2 employment benefits, while CRNA-owned private practice groups might offer partnership tracks that appeal to entrepreneurial spirits. Practical negotiation for hourly workers often hinges on balancing hourly wages against benefits such as health insurance, with some CRNAs opting for lower hourly rates in exchange for stability. Others may prefer higher pay without benefits when working with locum tenens agencies, making it essential to assess individual needs and market demand while engaging in salary discussions.
More salary data for San Luis Obispo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in San Luis Obispo in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse anesthetists make in San Luis Obispo?
Are nurse anesthetists in San Luis Obispo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time nurse anesthetist make per year in San Luis Obispo?
Do nurse anesthetists earn more per hour working part-time in San Luis Obispo?
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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 San Luis Obispo. 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 San Luis Obispo 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