Nurse Anesthetist Salary in San Francisco, CA: $306,024 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in San Francisco, CA earns a median $306,024/year (≈ $147.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $270,578 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, a nurse anesthetist in San Francisco can anticipate a median annual salary of $306,024, significantly higher than the national median of $248,893, reflecting a premium for this specialized role within this pricey metropolitan area. The projected salary range extends from $183,733 at the 10th percentile to $473,097 at the 90th percentile, offering a broad spectrum of earnings based on experience, work setting, and role expectations. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for local living costs, underscore the financial trade-offs practitioners face, particularly regarding call-coverage responsibilities and work-life balance, which can dramatically influence compensation. Given the evolving landscape of healthcare in San Francisco, demand for nurse anesthetists continues to be robust, making it an appealing choice for professionals in this field.
About the San Francisco Market
Salary estimated from California average ($260,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $183,733 | $88.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $252,943 | $121.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $306,024 | $147.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $391,710 | $188.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $473,097 | $227.45 |
Median Salary Position
22.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $289,364 (2026 est.). At $306,024, the local median is 22.95% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Francisco Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $306,024/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $281,530 | +8.70% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +22.95% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $306,024 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.95% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 8.70% above the California state average of $281,530.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $306,024 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $270,578 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$214,911
2025 BLS Actual
$290,897
2026 Current Est.
$306,024
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $214,911 | Actual |
| 2020 | $225,719 | Actual |
| 2021 | $240,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $235,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $261,462 | Actual |
| 2024 | $319,681 | Actual |
| 2025 | $290,897 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $306,024 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $321,937 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $214,911 (2019) to $290,897 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $321,937 by 2027 — a total increase of $107,026 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $183,733 – $252,943 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $252,943 – $306,024 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $306,024 – $391,710 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $391,710 – $473,097 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in San Francisco
Currently, there are 142 nurse anesthetists employed in San Francisco, a city where the cost-of-living index sits at 113.1. This figure indicates elevated living expenses, necessitating thoughtful strategies for maximizing take-home pay in a city where housing and basic needs can be steep. Among the highest-paying employers, large hospital systems often provide competitive salaries, while ambulatory surgery centers and CRNA-owned practices may offer unique work structures, including profit-sharing opportunities. Factors contributing to the wide pay disparity include variations in call coverage (with rotations of 1-in-8 versus 1-in-5), differentials for weekend and holiday shifts, and the potential for performance bonuses tied to operating room efficiency. For those seeking to optimize their earnings, pursuing partnerships in anesthesia group practices and considering locum tenens roles may yield lucrative outcomes in this vibrant market. Understanding these dynamics is essential for navigating the nurse anesthetist pay landscape in San Francisco, CA.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in San Francisco?
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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 $290,897 for nurse anesthetistsin the San Francisco 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 Francisco 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