Nurse Anesthetist Salary in San Clemente, CA: $279,942 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in San Clemente, CA earns a median $279,942/year (≈ $134.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in San Clemente's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $247,517 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, nurse anesthetists in San Clemente, California, can expect a remarkable median annual salary of $279,942, reflecting the area's competitive positioning relative to both state and national averages. This salary is part of a broad range, with figures stretching from $175,259 at the 10th percentile to $411,004 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, demonstrate that San Clemente offers an attractive compensation landscape for nurse anesthetists. Particularly in a market where CRNAs may operate independently, such earnings highlight the potential financial advantages in California's healthcare scene while showcasing the evolving dynamics of the Anesthesia Care Team model.
About the San Clemente Market
Salary estimated from California average ($260,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $175,259 | $84.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $247,070 | $118.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $279,942 | $134.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $355,744 | $171.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $411,004 | $197.60 |
Median Salary Position
12.47% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Clemente
In San Clemente, CA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $235,745 (2026 est.). At $279,942, the local median is 12.47% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Clemente: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Clemente Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
San Clemente median: $279,942/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Clemente Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $281,632 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | +12.47% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in San Clemente, CA earn a median of $279,942 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.47% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 0.60% below the California state average of $281,632.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Clemente has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Clemente, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $279,942 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $247,517 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$196,595
2025 BLS Actual
$266,105
2026 Current Est.
$279,942
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in San Clemente (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $196,595 | Actual |
| 2020 | $206,482 | Actual |
| 2021 | $220,013 | Actual |
| 2022 | $228,426 | Actual |
| 2023 | $239,178 | Actual |
| 2024 | $292,435 | Actual |
| 2025 | $266,105 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $279,942 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $294,499 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Clemente metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $196,595 (2019) to $266,105 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $294,499 by 2027 — a total increase of $97,904 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Clemente 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) | $175,259 – $247,070 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $247,070 – $279,942 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $279,942 – $355,744 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $355,744 – $411,004 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in San Clemente
The local job market in San Clemente features 10 employed nurse anesthetists, indicating a niche yet vibrant landscape for this profession. However, the higher cost of living, reflected in a CoL index of 113.1, suggests a careful consideration of take-home purchasing power. Employers contributing to the higher echelons of nurse anesthetist pay include local hospital systems and CRNA-owned anesthesia practices, which often offer partnership-track arrangements. The disparity between lower and higher earnings can be influenced by factors such as call coverage rotation scheduling, weekend differentials, and OR productivity-based bonuses. For those navigating this market, maximizing salary would involve seeking opportunities in settings offering flexible contracts, examining locum tenens roles for immediate financial boosts, and aiming for positions that provide comprehensive benefits alongside base pay, given the competitive nature of nurse anesthetist pay in San Clemente, CA.
More salary data for San Clemente, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in San Clemente, CA in 2026?
Is San Clemente, CA a good place to work as a nurse anesthetist?
Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in San Clemente?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nurse anesthetist salary in San Clemente?
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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 $266,105 for nurse anesthetistsin the San Clemente 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 San Clemente 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