Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Orange, CA: $277,296 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Orange, CA earns a median $277,296/year (≈ $133.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Orange's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $245,178 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Orange, CA, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $277,296, which is notably higher than the national median of $248,893. Nurse anesthetists in this region can expect a salary range from $179,524 at the 10th percentile to as much as $399,466 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variances, reflect the lifestyle and on-call commitments that characterize this profession. The significant difference between the lower and upper ends of the pay spectrum is indicative of the various employment situations and demands placed on professionals in this field, including variations in call coverage and operational responsibilities.
About the Orange Market
Salary estimated from California average ($260,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $179,524 | $86.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $232,702 | $111.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $277,296 | $133.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $345,859 | $166.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $399,466 | $192.05 |
Median Salary Position
11.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Orange
In Orange, CA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $219,942 (2026 est.). At $277,296, the local median is 11.41% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Orange: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Orange Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Orange median: $277,296/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Orange Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $281,518 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | +11.41% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Orange, CA earn a median of $277,296 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.41% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 1.50% below the California state average of $281,518.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Orange has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Orange, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $277,296 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $245,178 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$194,737
2025 BLS Actual
$263,589
2026 Current Est.
$277,296
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $194,737 | Actual |
| 2020 | $204,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $217,932 | Actual |
| 2022 | $226,266 | Actual |
| 2023 | $236,917 | Actual |
| 2024 | $289,671 | Actual |
| 2025 | $263,589 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $277,296 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $291,715 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Orange metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $194,737 (2019) to $263,589 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $291,715 by 2027 — a total increase of $96,978 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Orange 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) | $179,524 – $232,702 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $232,702 – $277,296 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $277,296 – $345,859 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $345,859 – $399,466 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Orange
The local job market for nurse anesthetists indicates a strong demand, with 21 professionals currently employed in Orange. However, the cost of living in the area, represented by a cost-of-living index of 113.1, impacts take-home pay and purchasing power. Employers such as hospital systems and CRNA-owned anesthesia group practices often lead in compensation, factoring in variations in workload and call rotations. These employment settings can offer substantial benefits, including productivity bonuses and profit distribution for partners. Pay differentials are largely influenced by factors like on-call schedules, weekend shifts, and operational efficiency, meaning those who navigate these variables effectively stand to maximize their earnings. Engaging with locum tenens opportunities or seeking partnerships in private practices may also provide additional avenues for enhanced compensation in Orange, CA.
More salary data for Orange, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Orange?
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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 $263,589 for nurse anesthetistsin the Orange 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 Orange 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