Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Poway, CA: $277,061 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Poway, CA earns a median $277,061/year (≈ $133.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Poway's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $244,970 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Poway, California, the projected median annual salary for nurse anesthetists stands at $277,061 for 2026, reflecting a notable increase compared to the national median of $248,893. The salary range spans from $183,756 at the 10th percentile to $373,844 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the flexibility in pay based on various factors such as call coverage and work schedules. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors. The diverse responsibilities associated with nurse anesthetist roles in Poway contribute to the variation in compensation, indicating a locally competitive job market for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs).
About the Poway Market
Salary estimated from California average ($260,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $183,756 | $88.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $251,709 | $121.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $277,061 | $133.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $333,506 | $160.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $373,844 | $179.73 |
Median Salary Position
11.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Poway
In Poway, CA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $190,088 (2026 est.). At $277,061, the local median is 11.32% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Poway: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Poway Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Poway median: $277,061/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Poway Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $281,566 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | +11.32% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Poway, CA earn a median of $277,061 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.32% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 1.60% below the California state average of $281,566.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Poway has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Poway, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $277,061 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $244,970 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$194,572
2025 BLS Actual
$263,366
2026 Current Est.
$277,061
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Poway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $194,572 | Actual |
| 2020 | $204,357 | Actual |
| 2021 | $217,748 | Actual |
| 2022 | $226,075 | Actual |
| 2023 | $236,717 | Actual |
| 2024 | $289,425 | Actual |
| 2025 | $263,366 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $277,061 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $291,468 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Poway metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $194,572 (2019) to $263,366 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $291,468 by 2027 — a total increase of $96,896 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Poway 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) | $183,756 – $251,709 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $251,709 – $277,061 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $277,061 – $333,506 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $333,506 – $373,844 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Poway
Considering the local job market, Poway has employed eight nurse anesthetists, underscoring a tight-knit professional community while also reflecting the demand for anesthesia services in the area. The cost of living index of 113.1 suggests that while salaries are competitive, they must also offset higher living expenses. Employers such as local hospital systems and CRNA-owned anesthesia group practices are often the most lucrative, with compensation influenced by factors like call coverage rotation and productivity bonuses. The disparity in pay can be linked to individual contracts that address weekend and holiday differentials as well as OR efficiency. For CRNAs aiming to maximize their earning potential in Poway, careful negotiation of contract terms and consideration of work settings can play a significant role in achieving optimal compensation.
More salary data for Poway, 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 $263,366 for nurse anesthetistsin the Poway 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 Poway 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