Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Berkeley, CA: $282,549 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Berkeley, CA earns a median $282,549/year (≈ $135.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Berkeley's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $249,822 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The nurse anesthetist salary in Berkeley, CA, is projected at a median annual figure of $282,549 in 2026, reflecting a robust local job market alongside higher living costs. With a salary range spanning from $189,982 at the 10th percentile to $399,380 at the 90th percentile, it’s evident that compensation varies significantly depending on factors like call coverage and the demands of individual practices. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, accounting for regional price adjustments that impact local expectations. The higher-end salaries are often linked to locations with intense call rotations or specialized roles, making Berkeley an intriguing option for both experienced and new nurse anesthetists.
About the Berkeley Market
Salary estimated from California average ($260,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $189,982 | $91.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $249,439 | $119.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $282,549 | $135.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $347,864 | $167.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $399,380 | $192.01 |
Median Salary Position
13.52% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Berkeley
In Berkeley, CA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $209,398 (2026 est.). At $282,549, the local median is 13.52% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Berkeley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Berkeley Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Berkeley median: $282,549/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Berkeley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $281,424 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +13.52% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Berkeley, CA earn a median of $282,549 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.52% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 0.40% above the California state average of $281,424.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Berkeley has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Berkeley, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $282,549 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $249,822 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$198,426
2025 BLS Actual
$268,583
2026 Current Est.
$282,549
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Berkeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $198,426 | Actual |
| 2020 | $208,405 | Actual |
| 2021 | $222,061 | Actual |
| 2022 | $230,553 | Actual |
| 2023 | $241,406 | Actual |
| 2024 | $295,159 | Actual |
| 2025 | $268,583 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $282,549 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $297,242 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Berkeley metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $198,426 (2019) to $268,583 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $297,242 by 2027 — a total increase of $98,816 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Berkeley 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $189,982 – $249,439 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $249,439 – $282,549 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $282,549 – $347,864 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $347,864 – $399,380 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Berkeley
As of now, Berkeley employs 23 nurse anesthetists, indicating a niche yet solid demand in this market. The cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, which suggests that purchasing power is slightly more constrained compared to the national average, influencing take-home salaries accordingly. Leading employers such as hospital systems generally provide more stable benefits, while ambulatory surgery centers and CRNA-owned practices might offer lucrative partnership tracks. The variance in pay is driven by factors such as weekend and holiday shifts, call duties, and bonuses based on performance metrics. CRNAs looking to maximize pay in Berkeley should consider opportunities that allow for flexibility in work hours and revenue-sharing models while also weighing the benefits of tax structuring between W-2 and 1099 arrangements to enhance their overall earnings.
More salary data for Berkeley, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Berkeley, CA in 2026?
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Berkeley?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $268,583 for nurse anesthetistsin the Berkeley metropolitan area. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Berkeley 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