Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Lakewood, CA: $274,346 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Lakewood, CA earns a median $274,346/year (≈ $131.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $242,569 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Lakewood, California, is projected to be $274,346, positioning the market above the national median of $248,893 by approximately 10.23%. Within this locality, salaries range significantly from $185,170 at the 10th percentile to $392,472 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities available for nurse anesthetists. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price parities, providing a clear picture of the compensation landscape in Lakewood. As a city that actively employs 19 nurse anesthetists, Lakewood's job market continues to be solid, particularly due to its alignment with federal opt-out state policies, allowing nurse anesthetists to practice independently.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($260,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $185,170 | $89.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $235,520 | $113.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $274,346 | $131.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $341,811 | $164.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $392,472 | $188.69 |
Median Salary Position
10.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $207,302 (2026 est.). At $274,346, the local median is 10.23% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $274,346/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $281,380 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | +10.23% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Lakewood, CA earn a median of $274,346 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.23% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 2.50% below the California state average of $281,380.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $274,346 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $242,569 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$192,665
2025 BLS Actual
$260,785
2026 Current Est.
$274,346
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $192,665 | Actual |
| 2020 | $202,354 | Actual |
| 2021 | $215,614 | Actual |
| 2022 | $223,859 | Actual |
| 2023 | $234,397 | Actual |
| 2024 | $286,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $260,785 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $274,346 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $288,612 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $192,665 (2019) to $260,785 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $288,612 by 2027 — a total increase of $95,947 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $185,170 – $235,520 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $235,520 – $274,346 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $274,346 – $341,811 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $341,811 – $392,472 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Lakewood
While the 2026 projected nurse anesthetist pay in Lakewood exceeds many national averages, the cost-of-living index of 113.1 indicates that the purchasing power of these salaries may be slightly diminished compared to lower-cost areas. The competition among local employers—including hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and CRNA-owned practices—creates variability in compensation based on factors such as call coverage, OR productivity bonuses, and whether positions are W-2 or 1099. Employers with the most competitive pay scales will likely be those that offer partnership tracks or trauma center stipends. To maximize earnings within the Lakewood market, nurse anesthetists should consider seeking roles that include weekend differentials or yield more favorable tax structuring for independent contracting. Exploring the benefits of positions in high-demand facilities can also improve overall compensation.
More salary data for Lakewood, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Lakewood?
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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 $260,785 for nurse anesthetistsin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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