Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $297,642 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $297,642/year (≈ $143.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $262,087 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, nurse anesthetists in Los Angeles, California, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $297,642, which reflects a notable 19.59% increase compared to the national median of $248,893. The salary range for this role is projected to be between $241,402 at the lower end (P10) and $308,152 at the higher end (P90), showcasing the potential for significant earnings based on various factors. These insights derive from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. Decisions around employment structure, whether as W-2 hospital employees or 1099 contractors in group practices, greatly influence compensation levels, as these choices dictate different payment models, benefits, and job security. The competitive landscape of the Los Angeles job market for nurse anesthetists suggests a robust environment for those seeking to advance their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $241,402 | $116.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $293,150 | $140.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $297,642 | $143.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $303,902 | $146.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $308,152 | $148.15 |
Median Salary Position
19.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,750 (2026 est.). At $297,642, the local median is 19.59% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Los Angeles Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $297,642/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $281,592 | +5.70% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +19.59% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $297,642 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.59% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 5.70% above the California state average of $281,592.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $297,642 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $262,087 — a 11.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$209,025
2025 BLS Actual
$282,930
2026 Current Est.
$297,642
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $209,025 | Actual |
| 2020 | $219,537 | Actual |
| 2021 | $233,923 | Actual |
| 2022 | $242,868 | Actual |
| 2023 | $254,301 | Actual |
| 2024 | $316,988 | Actual |
| 2025 | $282,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $297,642 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $313,120 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $209,025 (2019) to $282,930 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $313,120 by 2027 — a total increase of $104,095 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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) | $241,402 – $293,150 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $293,150 – $297,642 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $297,642 – $303,902 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $303,902 – $308,152 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Los Angeles
Local demand for nurse anesthetists in Los Angeles is strong, driven by a broad array of healthcare facilities ranging from hospitals to specialty clinics. However, the cost of living in this city is notably higher than the national average, with a cost of living index at 113.566, impacting the effective purchasing power of salaries. Major employers that tend to offer the highest pay include hospital systems as W-2 employees, CRNA-owned anesthesia group practices with partnership tracks, and ambulatory surgery centers. Factors such as call coverage rotation, weekend and holiday differentials, and trajectory towards profit sharing can create a wide pay gap in the region. To maximize earnings, professionals are advised to consider employment with trauma centers or organizations offering efficiency bonuses while weighing the benefits associated with either W-2 positions or 1099 contracts. Understanding these dynamics will be key for those entering or advancing within the field of nurse anesthetist pay in Los Angeles, CA.
More salary data for Los Angeles, 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 $282,930 for nurse anesthetistsin the Los Angeles 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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