Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Riverside, CA: $314,453 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Riverside, CA earns a median $314,453/year (≈ $151.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Riverside's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.4), that paycheck buys what $295,422 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.7% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a 2026 median annual salary of $314,453, nurse anesthetists in Riverside, CA, earn a competitive compensation package, significantly exceeding the national median of $248,893. The salary range for this profession spans from $158,621 at the lower end (P10) to $314,453 at the upper end (P90), reflecting a pronounced disparity influenced by various employment factors. Data sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys reveals that the diverse call-coverage responsibilities and lifestyle choices of CRNAs contribute to this wide pay spectrum. Anesthetists working in high-demand environments or taking on more intensive schedules often see their remuneration significantly elevated, underscoring the rewarding nature of this specialization within Riverside's healthcare system.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $158,621 | $76.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $282,946 | $136.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $314,453 | $151.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $314,453 | $151.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $314,453 | $151.18 |
Median Salary Position
26.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Riverside
In Riverside, CA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $155,832 (2026 est.). At $314,453, the local median is 26.34% above the national median of $248,893.
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At 40 hours/week in Riverside: You'd be in the top 10% of earners
How Riverside Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Riverside median: $314,453/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Riverside Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $281,516 | +11.70% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +26.34% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Riverside, CA earn a median of $314,453 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.34% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 11.70% above the California state average of $281,516.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Riverside has a cost of living 6.44% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Riverside, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.442 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $314,453 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $295,422 — a 6.05% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$220,831
2025 BLS Actual
$298,910
2026 Current Est.
$314,453
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $220,831 | Actual |
| 2020 | $231,937 | Actual |
| 2021 | $247,135 | Actual |
| 2022 | $256,586 | Actual |
| 2023 | $268,664 | Actual |
| 2024 | $307,738 | Actual |
| 2025 | $298,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $314,453 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $330,805 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Riverside metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $220,831 (2019) to $298,910 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $330,805 by 2027 — a total increase of $109,974 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Riverside 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) | $158,621 – $282,946 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $282,946 – $314,453 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $314,453 – $314,453 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $314,453 – $314,453 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Riverside
In Riverside, the nurse anesthetist job market remains robust with approximately 140 professionals currently practicing, and ongoing annual growth projected at 5.20%. However, the high cost of living, indicated by a cost-of-living index of 106.442, somewhat dampens take-home purchasing power, necessitating careful financial planning for those in the field. While various employers contribute to competitive pay in Riverside, those working for hospital systems typically offer the highest salaries, particularly for CRNAs involved in residential programs and trauma centers. On the other hand, 1099 positions, such as those through locum tenens agencies or CRNA-owned anesthesia practices, can yield substantial earnings depending on workload and agreement structures. To maximize pay, professionals should be strategic about taking on additional shifts, mentoring roles, or weekend duty, which can enhance their earnings potential through bonuses and added stipends.
More salary data for Riverside, 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 $298,910 for nurse anesthetistsin the Riverside 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