Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Santa Monica, CA: $284,512 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Santa Monica, CA earns a median $284,512/year (≈ $136.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Santa Monica's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $251,558 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Santa Monica stands at a substantial $284,512, reflecting a 14.31% increase over the national median of $248,893. The salary range for these professionals in this coastal city spans from $185,585 at the 10th percentile to $398,593 at the 90th percentile, indicating promising earning potential based on experience and specific employment situations. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors. The market here, influenced by the state's healthcare dynamics and the ongoing demand for anesthesia services, provides a compelling argument for pursuing a career in nurse anesthesia in Santa Monica, CA.
About the Santa Monica Market
Salary estimated from California average ($260,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $185,585 | $89.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $245,859 | $118.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $284,512 | $136.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $350,079 | $168.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $398,593 | $191.63 |
Median Salary Position
14.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Monica
In Santa Monica, CA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $213,008 (2026 est.). At $284,512, the local median is 14.31% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Monica: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Monica Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Santa Monica median: $284,512/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Monica Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $281,417 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +14.31% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Santa Monica, CA earn a median of $284,512 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.31% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 1.10% above the California state average of $281,417.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Monica has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Monica, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $284,512 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $251,558 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$199,805
2025 BLS Actual
$270,449
2026 Current Est.
$284,512
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Santa Monica (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $199,805 | Actual |
| 2020 | $209,853 | Actual |
| 2021 | $223,604 | Actual |
| 2022 | $232,155 | Actual |
| 2023 | $243,083 | Actual |
| 2024 | $297,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $270,449 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $284,512 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $299,307 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Monica metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $199,805 (2019) to $270,449 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $299,307 by 2027 — a total increase of $99,502 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Monica 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) | $185,585 – $245,859 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $245,859 – $284,512 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $284,512 – $350,079 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $350,079 – $398,593 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Santa Monica
The job market in Santa Monica currently employs 20 nurse anesthetists, creating a niche environment that can support competitive salaries. The cost-of-living index for the area is set at 113.1, making it slightly more expensive than the national average, which may affect take-home pay and overall purchasing power for professionals in this field. Among employers, local hospitals typically offer some of the higher rates, especially those within the trauma system or that provide incentives for on-call rotations. The variance in compensation is notable and arises from factors such as call coverage rotations and bonus structures at CRNA-owned group practices. For those aiming to maximize their earnings, targeting employment at ambulatory surgery centers or considering 1099 positions with locum tenens agencies could present lucrative opportunities, as these arrangements often involve different tax implications that can influence net income.
More salary data for Santa Monica, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Santa Monica, CA in 2026?
Is Santa Monica, CA a good place to work as a nurse anesthetist?
Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Santa Monica?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nurse anesthetist salary in Santa Monica?
How much does a nurse anesthetist make per hour in Santa Monica?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $270,449 for nurse anesthetistsin the Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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