Nurse Anesthetist Salary in San Diego, CA: $298,265 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in San Diego, CA earns a median $298,265/year (≈ $143.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $263,718 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nurse anesthetists in San Diego can expect a median annual salary of $298,265, reflecting a robust 19.84% premium compared to the national average of $248,893. The salary range for this profession in San Diego spans from $190,201 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $445,118 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and regional cost of living adjustments illustrate this wide pay gap, which often results from variations in call coverage responsibilities, work schedules, and employers' payment structures. Nurses who opt for more demanding positions, such as those requiring night or holiday shifts, typically earn higher wages, underscoring the balance between compensation and lifestyle choices prevalent in the San Diego job market.
About the San Diego Market
Salary estimated from California average ($260,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $190,201 | $91.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $255,081 | $122.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $298,265 | $143.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $381,779 | $183.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $445,118 | $214.00 |
Median Salary Position
19.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $254,917 (2026 est.). At $298,265, the local median is 19.84% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Diego Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
San Diego median: $298,265/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $281,382 | +6.00% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +19.84% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in San Diego, CA earn a median of $298,265 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.84% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 6.00% above the California state average of $281,382.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $298,265 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $263,718 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$209,463
2025 BLS Actual
$283,522
2026 Current Est.
$298,265
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $209,463 | Actual |
| 2020 | $219,996 | Actual |
| 2021 | $234,413 | Actual |
| 2022 | $243,377 | Actual |
| 2023 | $254,833 | Actual |
| 2024 | $311,576 | Actual |
| 2025 | $283,522 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $298,265 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $313,775 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $209,463 (2019) to $283,522 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $313,775 by 2027 — a total increase of $104,312 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego 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) | $190,201 – $255,081 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $255,081 – $298,265 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $298,265 – $381,779 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $381,779 – $445,118 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in San Diego
The job market for nurse anesthetists in San Diego is solid, with approximately 307 professionals actively employed in the area. The relatively high cost of living, indicated by a cost of living index of 113.1, affects take-home purchasing power and necessitates competitive pay strategies for professionals. Facilities such as major hospital systems and ambulatory surgery centers generally offer some of the highest wages, while CRNA-owned anesthesia group practices may provide attractive partnership opportunities that can enhance earnings through profit-sharing. Factors that influence the spread between lower and higher salaries include call coverage rotations, which can vary from 1-in-8 to 1-in-5, as well as bonuses linked to operational efficiency. Those seeking to maximize nurse anesthetist pay in San Diego CA should consider focusing on roles that offer higher call responsibility or the chance for leadership positions, as well as understanding the nuances of tax structuring between W-2 and 1099 employment.
More salary data for San Diego, 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 $283,522 for nurse anesthetistsin the San Diego 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 Diego 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