Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Carson, CA: $275,885 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Carson, CA earns a median $275,885/year (≈ $132.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Carson's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $243,930 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Carson, California, is projected to reach a substantial median of $275,885, notably higher than the national median of $248,893. The salary range for nurse anesthetists in this area spans from $188,646 (P10) to $407,784 (P90), reflecting the structural differences in compensation between W-2 hospital positions and 1099 group practice roles. These local estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the regional cost of living, which is relatively higher in Carson, with a cost-of-living index of 113.1. As CRNAs assess their compensation options, the distinct variations in job structure—whether employed in hospitals or as independent contractors—play a pivotal role in determining hourly and annual wages.
About the Carson Market
Salary estimated from California average ($260,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $188,646 | $90.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $244,707 | $117.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $275,885 | $132.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $335,041 | $161.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $407,784 | $196.05 |
Median Salary Position
10.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carson
In Carson, CA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $219,138 (2026 est.). At $275,885, the local median is 10.84% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carson Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Carson median: $275,885/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $281,515 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | +10.84% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Carson, CA earn a median of $275,885 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.84% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 2.00% below the California state average of $281,515.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carson has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carson, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $275,885 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $243,930 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$193,746
2025 BLS Actual
$262,248
2026 Current Est.
$275,885
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Carson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $193,746 | Actual |
| 2020 | $203,489 | Actual |
| 2021 | $216,824 | Actual |
| 2022 | $225,115 | Actual |
| 2023 | $235,712 | Actual |
| 2024 | $288,197 | Actual |
| 2025 | $262,248 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $275,885 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $290,231 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carson metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $193,746 (2019) to $262,248 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $290,231 by 2027 — a total increase of $96,485 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carson 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) | $188,646 – $244,707 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $244,707 – $275,885 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $275,885 – $335,041 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $335,041 – $407,784 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Carson
With a modest job market presence of 21 nurse anesthetists, Carson's local employment landscape is both stable and evolving. The higher cost of living affects take-home purchasing power, making it essential for CRNAs to consider their compensation package carefully. Some of the best-paying employers in the area include hospital systems that offer W-2 employment, which typically provide consistent salaries and benefits, as well as CRNA-owned anesthesia group practices that can present appealing partnership opportunities. Compensation disparities often arise from call coverage expectations, weekend differentials, and productivity bonuses, alongside the choice between W-2 and 1099 employment. To maximize their earnings, nurse anesthetists in Carson should strategically evaluate job roles that emphasize efficient practice models, continuous learning, and involvement in specialty areas that command higher stipends, such as trauma or pain management.
More salary data for Carson, 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
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 $262,248 for nurse anesthetistsin the Carson 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 Carson 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