Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Laguna Niguel, CA: $273,320 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Laguna Niguel, CA earns a median $273,320/year (≈ $131.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Laguna Niguel's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $241,662 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Laguna Niguel, California, the 2026 projected nurse anesthetist salary is indicative of a market structured around both W-2 hospital employment and 1099 group-practice arrangements. The median annual salary of $273,320 reveals a strong compensation potential, with a broad salary range from $181,749 at the 10th percentile to $398,964 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, are reflective of local economic conditions and adjustments for the regional cost of living. Nurse anesthetists in Laguna Niguel can expect competitive pay compared to the national median of $248,893, making the local job market appealing for both current and prospective practitioners.
About the Laguna Niguel Market
Salary estimated from California average ($260,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $181,749 | $87.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $239,415 | $115.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $273,320 | $131.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $345,308 | $166.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $398,964 | $191.81 |
Median Salary Position
9.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laguna Niguel
In Laguna Niguel, CA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $217,215 (2026 est.). At $273,320, the local median is 9.81% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laguna Niguel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laguna Niguel Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Laguna Niguel median: $273,320/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laguna Niguel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $281,483 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | +9.81% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Laguna Niguel, CA earn a median of $273,320 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.81% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 2.90% below the California state average of $281,483.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laguna Niguel has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laguna Niguel, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $273,320 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $241,662 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$191,945
2025 BLS Actual
$259,810
2026 Current Est.
$273,320
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Laguna Niguel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $191,945 | Actual |
| 2020 | $201,597 | Actual |
| 2021 | $214,808 | Actual |
| 2022 | $223,022 | Actual |
| 2023 | $233,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $285,518 | Actual |
| 2025 | $259,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $273,320 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $287,533 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laguna Niguel metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $191,945 (2019) to $259,810 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $287,533 by 2027 — a total increase of $95,588 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laguna Niguel 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) | $181,749 – $239,415 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $239,415 – $273,320 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $273,320 – $345,308 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $345,308 – $398,964 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Laguna Niguel
The job market for nurse anesthetists in Laguna Niguel is robust, with 16 professionals employed in the area. The cost of living in Laguna Niguel, indicated by a CoL index of 113.1, suggests that while salaries are attractive, the higher living expenses can impact take-home pay. Among local employers, hospital systems generally offer the most competitive compensation packages, with additional opportunities in ambulatory surgery centers and CRNA-owned practices. Variations in pay often result from factors such as call coverage rotation, which can vary from 1-in-8 to 1-in-5, along with weekend and holiday differentials. To maximize earnings, nurse anesthetists should consider employment that offers partnership tracks in group practices, as these can enhance long-term financial gains. Understanding the nuances between W-2 and 1099 arrangements is crucial for optimizing overall compensation in this market.
More salary data for Laguna Niguel, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Laguna Niguel, CA in 2026?
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Laguna Niguel?
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How much does a nurse anesthetist make per hour in Laguna Niguel?
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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 $259,810 for nurse anesthetistsin the Laguna Niguel 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 Laguna Niguel 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