Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Tustin, CA: $281,213 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Tustin, CA earns a median $281,213/year (≈ $135.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Tustin's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $248,641 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, nurse anesthetists in Tustin, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $281,213, placing them 12.99% above the national average of $248,893 for this role. Their earnings range notably from $177,243 at the lower end to $398,291 for those at the top percentiles, indicating a favorable compensation environment for this profession. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities reveal that Tustin's nurse anesthetist pay reflects the nuanced demands of the local healthcare landscape, where approximately 18 CRNAs practice. The differences in remuneration can be attributed to various factors, including the types of clinical settings and the complexity of care provided in a high-acuity region.
About the Tustin Market
Salary estimated from California average ($260,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $177,243 | $85.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $239,012 | $114.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $281,213 | $135.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $347,964 | $167.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $398,291 | $191.49 |
Median Salary Position
12.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tustin
In Tustin, CA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $221,048 (2026 est.). At $281,213, the local median is 12.99% above the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tustin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tustin Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Tustin median: $281,213/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tustin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $281,495 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | +12.99% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Tustin, CA earn a median of $281,213 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.99% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 0.10% below the California state average of $281,495.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tustin has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tustin, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $281,213 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $248,641 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$197,488
2025 BLS Actual
$267,313
2026 Current Est.
$281,213
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Tustin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $197,488 | Actual |
| 2020 | $207,419 | Actual |
| 2021 | $221,011 | Actual |
| 2022 | $229,463 | Actual |
| 2023 | $240,264 | Actual |
| 2024 | $293,763 | Actual |
| 2025 | $267,313 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $281,213 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $295,836 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tustin metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $197,488 (2019) to $267,313 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $295,836 by 2027 — a total increase of $98,348 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tustin 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) | $177,243 – $239,012 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $239,012 – $281,213 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $281,213 – $347,964 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $347,964 – $398,291 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Tustin
Focusing on the local job market, Tustin's 18 nurse anesthetists face a cost-of-living index of 113.1, suggesting that while salaries are relatively higher, purchasing power may be impacted by housing and other expenses. Among local employers, hospital systems tend to offer the most substantial compensation packages, though opportunities at ambulatory surgery centers and CRNA-owned practices could also yield competitive earnings, especially given factors like call coverage rotations and weekend differentials. Variations in remuneration stem largely from the scope of practice settings: those covering weekends and holidays or working in trauma centers may command higher rates. To maximize pay in this region, professionals are advised to consider both W-2 employment at larger institutions and the flexibility of 1099 contracts in private practices, ultimately choosing arrangements that balance income potential with work-life preferences.
More salary data for Tustin, 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 $267,313 for nurse anesthetistsin the Tustin 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 Tustin 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