Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Lake Forest, CA: $276,375 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Lake Forest, CA earns a median $276,375/year (≈ $132.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Lake Forest's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $244,363 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Forest, California, nurse anesthetists command a median annual salary of $276,375, significantly above the national median of $248,893. The compensation range varies widely, with salaries beginning at $188,627 for entry-level positions and peaking at $399,398 for experienced practitioners. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and reflect local cost adjustments, indicative of the area's economic environment. The decision between being a W-2 employee at a hospital versus a 1099 contractor in a group practice heavily influences earning potential, impacting job security and benefits in this market.
About the Lake Forest Market
Salary estimated from California average ($260,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $188,627 | $90.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $239,676 | $115.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $276,375 | $132.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $346,753 | $166.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $399,398 | $192.02 |
Median Salary Position
11.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Forest
In Lake Forest, CA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $210,771 (2026 est.). At $276,375, the local median is 11.04% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Forest Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Lake Forest median: $276,375/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $281,441 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | +11.04% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Lake Forest, CA earn a median of $276,375 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.04% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 1.80% below the California state average of $281,441.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Forest has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Forest, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $276,375 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $244,363 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$194,090
2025 BLS Actual
$262,714
2026 Current Est.
$276,375
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Lake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $194,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $203,851 | Actual |
| 2021 | $217,209 | Actual |
| 2022 | $225,515 | Actual |
| 2023 | $236,131 | Actual |
| 2024 | $288,709 | Actual |
| 2025 | $262,714 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $276,375 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $290,747 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Forest metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $194,090 (2019) to $262,714 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $290,747 by 2027 — a total increase of $96,657 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Forest 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) | $188,627 – $239,676 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $239,676 – $276,375 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $276,375 – $346,753 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $346,753 – $399,398 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Lake Forest
The local job market for nurse anesthetists features 14 practitioners, which suggests a specialized but competitive environment. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, Lake Forest presents a higher economic living standard that necessitates careful consideration in salary negotiations. Hospitals typically offer the most stable compensation, while ambulatory surgery centers and CRNA-owned practices may provide more flexibility in pay structures. Variations in pay also stem from factors such as call coverage and differentials for weekend or holiday work, creating a diverse landscape of earnings potential. For those seeking to maximize their take-home pay, exploring partnerships in group practices or negotiating locum tenens opportunities could be advantageous in this specific market.
More salary data for Lake Forest, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Lake Forest?
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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 $262,714 for nurse anesthetistsin the Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest 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