Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Fresno, CA: $303,543 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Fresno, CA earns a median $303,543/year (≈ $145.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Fresno's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $268,385 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fresno, California, nurse anesthetists command a remarkable median annual salary of $303,543, significantly above the national median of $248,893. The salary range for this occupation is broad, with annual earnings spanning from $178,469 at the 10th percentile to $464,877 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on projections derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for local economic conditions. Fresno’s market reflects a strong financial outlook for nurse anesthetists, especially considering California's cost of living and the state's approach to anesthesia practice, which operates under the Anesthesia Care Team model in most areas.
About the Fresno Market
Salary estimated from California average ($260,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $178,469 | $85.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $265,766 | $127.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $303,543 | $145.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $388,535 | $186.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $464,877 | $223.50 |
Median Salary Position
21.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fresno
In Fresno, CA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $286,408 (2026 est.). At $303,543, the local median is 21.96% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fresno: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fresno Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Fresno median: $303,543/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fresno Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $281,580 | +7.80% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +21.96% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Fresno, CA earn a median of $303,543 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.96% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 7.80% above the California state average of $281,580.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fresno has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fresno, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $303,543 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $268,385 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$213,169
2025 BLS Actual
$288,539
2026 Current Est.
$303,543
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Fresno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $213,169 | Actual |
| 2020 | $223,889 | Actual |
| 2021 | $165,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $247,683 | Actual |
| 2023 | $259,342 | Actual |
| 2024 | $317,089 | Actual |
| 2025 | $288,539 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $303,543 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $319,327 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fresno metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $213,169 (2019) to $288,539 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $319,327 by 2027 — a total increase of $106,158 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fresno 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) | $178,469 – $265,766 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $265,766 – $303,543 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $303,543 – $388,535 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $388,535 – $464,877 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Fresno
Despite the slightly elevated cost of living in Fresno (with an index of 113.1), the 5.20% annual growth rate indicates a healthy job market for CRNAs, with 84 professionals currently employed in the area. Institutions such as hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and VA facilities are among the top employers, contributing significantly to the competitive pay landscape. Factors influencing the pay scale include call coverage rotations, which can vary between practices, as well as differential pay for weekends and holidays. Strategies to enhance earning potential in Fresno include seeking opportunities in CRNA-owned practices or positions with locum tenens agencies, which may offer greater flexibility and the potential for higher payment structures compared to traditional W-2 employed roles. Understanding the nuances between tax structures, productivity incentives, and specialty areas like trauma care can further optimize earnings for nurse anesthetists in this region.
More salary data for Fresno, 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 $288,539 for nurse anesthetistsin the Fresno 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 Fresno 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