Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Pasadena, CA: $283,664 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Pasadena, CA earns a median $283,664/year (≈ $136.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Pasadena's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $250,808 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the estimated median annual salary for nurse anesthetists in Pasadena, CA, is projected at $283,664, markedly higher than the national median of $248,893, which quantifies a 13.97% premium for local practitioners. Salaries in this field in Pasadena range from $185,498 at the 10th percentile to a striking $420,862 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a substantial spread driven by factors such as call-coverage commitments and practice settings. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data, reflect local market conditions and regional cost adjustments, painting a picture of a vibrant job market for nurse anesthetists in Pasadena that balances competitive compensation against lifestyle and work-life dynamics.
About the Pasadena Market
Salary estimated from California average ($260,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $185,498 | $89.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $245,597 | $118.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $283,664 | $136.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $361,943 | $174.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $420,862 | $202.34 |
Median Salary Position
13.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pasadena
In Pasadena, CA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $235,364 (2026 est.). At $283,664, the local median is 13.97% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pasadena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pasadena Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Pasadena median: $283,664/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pasadena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $281,413 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +13.97% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Pasadena, CA earn a median of $283,664 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.97% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 0.80% above the California state average of $281,413.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pasadena has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pasadena, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $283,664 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $250,808 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$199,209
2025 BLS Actual
$269,643
2026 Current Est.
$283,664
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Pasadena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $199,209 | Actual |
| 2020 | $209,227 | Actual |
| 2021 | $222,938 | Actual |
| 2022 | $231,463 | Actual |
| 2023 | $242,358 | Actual |
| 2024 | $296,323 | Actual |
| 2025 | $269,643 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $283,664 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $298,415 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pasadena metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $199,209 (2019) to $269,643 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $298,415 by 2027 — a total increase of $99,206 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pasadena 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) | $185,498 – $245,597 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $245,597 – $283,664 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $283,664 – $361,943 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $361,943 – $420,862 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Pasadena
As of 2026, Pasadena employs approximately 35 nurse anesthetists, reflecting a stable job market. However, the cost of living, indexed at 113.1, suggests that while salaries may appear generous, actual take-home pay is impacted by higher expenses. Among employers, hospital systems may provide the most lucrative pay packages, often accompanied by benefits such as productivity bonuses and holiday differentials. Variability in compensation also arises from differences in employment structures; CRNA-owned practices may offer partnership tracks that enhance earnings potential, particularly through profit-sharing arrangements. Maximizing pay in Pasadena could involve seeking positions with less intensive call requirements, negotiating trauma center stipends, or exploring locum tenens opportunities where pay structures can differ favorably. Understanding these nuances can significantly impact how much do nurse anesthetists make in Pasadena.
More salary data for Pasadena, 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 $269,643 for nurse anesthetistsin the Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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