Updated July 2026 · 10 min read
Financial Disclaimer: Salary figures are based on BLS data, AANA salary surveys, and industry sources. Actual compensation varies by employer, practice model, case mix, and experience. Verify with current AANA or BLS data before making career decisions.
CRNAs are consistently among the highest-paid advanced practice providers in the United States, with a national median salary well above $200,000. But the spread between the highest- and lowest-paying states exceeds $100,000, and practice model — independent vs. anesthesiologist-supervised, solo vs. group practice — creates even wider variation than geography alone. Here is the full breakdown for 2026.
| State | Median CRNA Salary | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | $280,000–$320,000 | Full opt-out state; rural premium; physician shortage |
| Wyoming | $275,000–$315,000 | Full opt-out; rural critical access hospitals |
| Iowa | $265,000–$300,000 | Full opt-out; rural demand; low cost of living |
| Nebraska | $260,000–$295,000 | Full opt-out; rural hospital dependency |
| North Dakota | $255,000–$295,000 | Full opt-out; physician shortage; remote premium |
| Alaska | $260,000–$310,000 | Remote premium; no state income tax; full scope |
| Wisconsin | $250,000–$285,000 | Opt-out state; strong rural hospital market |
| Minnesota | $245,000–$280,000 | Strong rural presence; competitive academic market |
| California | $240,000–$290,000 | High cost of living; competitive hospital market |
| Oregon | $235,000–$270,000 | Opt-out; Portland market plus rural |
| Washington | $230,000–$265,000 | No state income tax; Seattle and rural markets |
| Texas | $220,000–$260,000 | No state income tax; large hospital systems |
| Florida | $215,000–$255,000 | No state income tax; growing market |
| Arizona | $210,000–$250,000 | Opt-out state; growing Phoenix metro |
| Colorado | $210,000–$248,000 | Opt-out; rural mountains; Denver market |
States that have opted out of the federal Medicare anesthesiologist supervision requirement — allowing CRNAs to practice independently without physician oversight — typically have higher CRNA salaries for two reasons. First, CRNAs in these states carry the full anesthesia responsibility and are billed as the sole provider, capturing the full anesthesia fee rather than splitting it with a supervising anesthesiologist. Second, opt-out states are disproportionately rural, where physician (and anesthesiologist) shortages create strong demand and scarcity-driven premiums. As of 2026, approximately 20 states have exercised the opt-out option. See our CRNA opt-out states guide for the complete list.
In Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) models — where an anesthesiologist medically directs 2 to 4 CRNAs — CRNA compensation is typically lower because billing is shared and the anesthesiologist captures a portion of the professional fee. In independent practice settings (common in rural critical access hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers in opt-out states), the CRNA bills as the sole anesthesia provider and retains the full fee. For self-employed or group-practice CRNAs, gross billings can reach $500,000 to $700,000 per year; after overhead and malpractice insurance, net income exceeds $300,000 to $400,000.
Locum tenens and travel CRNAs consistently earn premium rates — often $200 to $350 per hour plus housing and travel stipends. For a CRNA willing to take 13-week travel contracts, total annual compensation can reach $350,000 to $500,000 or more. The trade-off: no benefits, self-employment tax on 1099 income, licensing fees in multiple states, and the administrative overhead of managing your own taxes and retirement accounts as an independent contractor.
| Provider | Median Annual Pay | Training Duration | Education Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRNA | $212,000–$230,000 | 7–8 years (BSN + ICU + CRNA school) | $60,000–$200,000 |
| Anesthesiologist (MD) | $330,000–$400,000 | 12–14 years (undergrad + med school + residency + fellowship) | $250,000–$400,000+ |
CRNAs earn roughly 55 to 70 percent of an anesthesiologist's median salary with dramatically less training time and debt. The ROI calculation strongly favors the CRNA path for most nurses who want to specialize in anesthesia. See our detailed CRNA school cost vs. ROI analysis.
Related: CRNA job outlook 2026-2030, CRNA school cost vs ROI, CRNA moonlighting income potential, ICU to CRNA transition guide.
Get The ICU Notebook Newsletter
Clinical tools and career insights for ICU nurses. One email per week, no fluff.
Yes, send it freeNo spam. Unsubscribe any time.