CRNA Salary 2026: What Nurse Anesthetists Actually Earn

CRNAs are among the highest-paid professionals in all of nursing — and one of the highest-paid clinical roles in healthcare that doesn't require a medical degree. The national mean wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is $223,210, but that single number obscures a range that runs from $125,000 in the lowest-paying state to over $280,000 in the highest. Where you practice, how you practice (W-2 vs. 1099), and what the state takes in income tax all determine what you actually bring home.

This guide breaks down CRNA compensation with real BLS data, the state tax math, and the financial planning moves that matter most once you know your number.

2026 CRNA Salary Snapshot

National mean annual wage: $223,210 (BLS OES May 2024, SOC 29-1151 Nurse Anesthetists)¹
Typical W-2 hospital CRNA range: $180,000 – $280,000
Typical 1099 locum CRNA range: $220,000 – $400,000+ gross (before SE tax and business expenses)
Highest-paying state: Illinois ($281,240 mean)
Lowest-paying state: Utah ($125,890 mean)

CRNA salary by state

Geographic variation in CRNA salary is larger than almost any other clinical profession. The difference between the highest and lowest state exceeds $155,000 — more than the total income of a bedside RN in many markets. Supply-demand imbalance (especially in rural states), supervision regulations (CRNA-only states often pay more), and concentration of specialty surgery all drive the spread.

State	Mean Annual Wage	State Income Tax (top rate)
Illinois	$281,240	4.95% (flat)
Massachusetts	$272,510	5%
Montana	$256,460	6.75%
New York	$256,160	Up to 10.9% (+ NYC surcharge)
Vermont	$254,790	Up to 8.75%
Kansas	$184,650	5.7%
Idaho	$178,600	5.8%
Florida	$176,950	0% (no state income tax)
Alabama	$173,370	5%
Utah	$125,890	4.55%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. SOC 29-1151 Nurse Anesthetists. Full 50-state data at bls.gov/oes/current/oes291151.htm. State income tax rates reflect 2026 top marginal rates on ordinary income.

The Utah outlier deserves attention. At $125,890, Utah CRNAs earn roughly half of Illinois CRNAs. This isn't a data error — it reflects a surplus of CRNA graduates in a state with multiple CRNA programs (Westminster University, Weber State) and a relatively young, healthy population that generates less anesthesia demand per capita. Rural CRNA supply problems exist nationally, but Utah's specific market is unusually saturated at the urban hospital level.

The state tax math: gross salary vs. what you keep

A CRNA deciding between offers in two states shouldn't compare gross W-2 salaries. They should compare after-tax income at a meaningful income level. Here's how the numbers work for the five highest-paying states versus three no-income-tax states that offer competitive CRNA markets:

State	Mean CRNA Wage	Est. State Tax	After State Tax
Illinois	$281,240	~$13,900 (4.95% flat)	~$267,300
Massachusetts	$272,510	~$13,600 (5% flat)	~$258,900
New York	$256,160	~$25,600 (~10% effective)	~$230,600
Texas	~$210,000–$230,000*	$0	~$210,000–$230,000
Nevada	~$200,000–$240,000*	$0	~$200,000–$240,000
Wyoming	~$220,000–$260,000*	$0	~$220,000–$260,000

*Texas, Nevada, and Wyoming BLS state-level estimates are not published for all years due to data suppression. Ranges are sourced from AMN Healthcare and Vivian Health aggregated wage data for 2025–2026. No-income-tax states: Texas, Florida, Nevada, Washington, Wyoming, South Dakota, Tennessee (wage income).²

The bottom line: New York's headline number of $256,160 shrinks to roughly $230,600 after state taxes. A CRNA in Wyoming earning $245,000 keeps the entire amount. The effective difference between the two is smaller than the raw salary gap suggests — and in some no-income-tax states with rural premium pay, the after-tax numbers are competitive with high-salary coastal markets. If PSLF isn't a factor, the geographic arbitrage is real.

W-2 hospital CRNA vs. 1099 independent CRNA: the income structure

Employment type affects not just how much you earn but how your income is structured, taxed, and optimized. These aren't just different tax forms — they're different financial lives.

Factor	W-2 Hospital CRNA	1099 / Locum CRNA
Typical gross income	$190,000 – $280,000	$250,000 – $400,000+
FICA / SE tax	7.65% employee share (hospital pays the other 7.65%)	Both halves (15.3% SE tax) — reducible with S-corp election
Retirement plan	403(b) + 457(b) = up to $49,000/yr pre-tax	Solo 401(k) = up to $72,000/yr pre-tax (IRC §415(c) 2026)
Benefits	Health, dental, malpractice, PTO — provided by employer	Must purchase all independently ($15,000–$35,000/yr)
PSLF eligibility	Yes — if hospital is 501(c)(3) non-profit	No — independent contractor is not a qualifying employer
Income stability	Predictable salary, guaranteed hours	Variable; gap months possible between contracts
S-corp election benefit	Not applicable	$8,000–$15,000/yr in FICA savings at $250K+ income

At a gross revenue of $300,000, a well-structured 1099 CRNA with an S-corp and maxed solo 401(k) often keeps more after-tax income than a W-2 CRNA at $260,000 — despite the higher benefits cost. The crossover point depends heavily on loan forgiveness eligibility, state income tax, and malpractice coverage costs. Use our 1099 CRNA vs. W-2 net income calculator to run the full comparison at your income level.

CRNA salary by practice setting

Within a given state, setting matters almost as much as location. CRNAs in CRNA-only (opt-out) states working independently at ambulatory surgery centers often earn significantly more than hospital-employed CRNAs who are supervised. The anesthesia care team model (MDA + CRNA) means the CRNA does more of the work for less of the billing revenue.

Non-profit academic medical center: Often below-market base ($180K–$230K) but offers PSLF, 403(b)+457(b) double-max, and employer-paid malpractice. Total compensation is more competitive than the headline salary suggests.
Community hospital (non-profit): $200K–$250K base, often with a call premium. PSLF-eligible, 403(b)+457(b) access. Largest category of employed CRNAs.
For-profit hospital system (HCA, Tenet, USPI): Often $210K–$260K, sometimes higher to attract talent, but no PSLF. 401(k) only, no 457(b).
Ambulatory surgery center (ASC): $220K–$300K+ in many markets. No call, predictable schedule. Often 1099 structure. No PSLF, but stronger earning potential for debt-free CRNAs.
Independent CRNA group / CRNA-owned practice: Highest ceiling ($280K–$400K+ gross), highest overhead and structure complexity. S-corp required. Malpractice tail is a significant planning consideration.
Locum tenens (agency or direct contract): $150–$250/hour depending on market, specialty, and urgency. Best earning potential year-over-year but no benefits, no PSLF, full SE tax exposure without S-corp structure.

CRNA salary trajectory by experience

Unlike many clinical roles where salary plateaus quickly, CRNAs see meaningful wage growth through mid-career — especially for those who move into locum work, add specialty training, or transition to leadership or education roles.

New graduate CRNA (0–2 years): Typically $175,000–$215,000 W-2. Most hospitals offer signing bonuses ($20,000–$50,000) for new grads, particularly in underserved markets. These bonuses come with 2–3 year service agreements.
Mid-career CRNA (3–8 years): $200,000–$265,000 W-2. Market rate strengthens significantly once 3+ years of experience removes new-grad risk premium concerns from employer perspective. Prime window for negotiating first call premium and shift-differential structure.
Experienced CRNA (8+ years): $220,000–$320,000+. Most who reach this range have also optimized their employment structure (locum ratio, S-corp, contract negotiation). Some have moved into CRNA education (salary reduction, PSLF advantage) or CRNA group ownership (income ceiling increase).

What CRNA salary data doesn't capture

The BLS mean wage figure captures W-2 compensation. It understates total CRNA income in two important ways:

Benefits at non-profit hospitals: Employer-paid malpractice coverage ($8,000–$20,000/yr value), employer-paid health insurance (easily $15,000–$25,000/yr for a family plan), and 457(b) availability are not reflected in W-2 wages but are real compensation. A W-2 CRNA at $210,000 with full benefits and PSLF eligibility may have a total compensation package worth $265,000+ in real economic terms.
1099 revenue: Independent CRNAs who bill at $180–$250/hour for 1,600 productive hours earn $288,000–$400,000 in revenue — before overhead. BLS OES surveys capture W-2 wages, not self-employment revenue. The mean figure understates what the highest-earning CRNAs actually generate.

Key financial planning insight: For CRNAs with federal student loans at a non-profit hospital, PSLF forgiveness can be worth $80,000–$200,000 in after-tax benefit. Maximizing 403(b)+457(b) contributions simultaneously reduces IBR payments and builds retirement savings. This interaction doesn't appear in salary data but is the single most important financial variable for CRNAs with >$100,000 in loans. See the PSLF calculator to model your specific scenario.

How to maximize your CRNA income

Once you know your base salary, the financial planning moves that actually move the needle are:

Max the 403(b) + 457(b) dual-bucket (W-2 CRNA). Most CRNAs leave the 457(b) untouched. At $24,500 per plan, that's $49,000 off your taxable income — worth $15,680–$17,150 in annual federal tax savings at the 32–35% bracket. See the hospital 457(b) guide.
Elect S-corp structure if 1099 income exceeds ~$85,000 net (1099 CRNA). S-corp election saves $8,000–$15,000/year in FICA tax at typical CRNA income levels. The administrative cost is real but small by comparison. Model the full picture at the 1099 CRNA calculator.
Open a solo 401(k) before December 31 (1099 CRNA). The employee deferral deadline is December 31 — not April 15. Missing this deadline forfeits $24,500 in pre-tax contributions for the year. The employer contribution can follow by the tax return deadline, but the deferral cannot.
Account for state income tax in relocation or employment decisions. A locum CRNA choosing between a California assignment ($13.3% top marginal rate) and a Texas assignment (0%) at the same contract rate keeps dramatically different amounts. At $280,000 of income, the state tax difference alone is $37,000+ per year.
Model PSLF vs. locum income if you have federal loans. For a CRNA with $180,000 in federal loans considering a switch from non-profit W-2 to locum tenens, the income gain needs to outpace the lost PSLF benefit — which can range from $80,000 to $300,000 in present-value terms depending on where you are in the 120-payment window. See the CRNA financial planning guide for the full decision framework.

Related CRNA guides

Work with a fee-only advisor who specializes in CRNA finances

CRNA income is more complex than a W-2 salary suggests — the employment type decision, state tax optimization, PSLF interaction, S-corp election, and retirement account structure all interact. A generalist advisor will default to physician-style advice that only fits partway. Our network connects CRNAs with fee-only advisors who actually know the difference between a solo 401(k) and a 403(b)+457(b) stack, and why it matters at your income level. No commissions, no product sales.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. SOC 29-1151 Nurse Anesthetists. National mean annual wage $223,210. State-level data at bls.gov/oes/current/oes291151.htm. State mean wages cited: Illinois $281,240; Massachusetts $272,510; Montana $256,460; New York $256,160; Vermont $254,790; Kansas $184,650; Idaho $178,600; Florida $176,950; Alabama $173,370; Utah $125,890. Published May 2025.
States with no individual income tax on wages as of 2026: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire (wages only), South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington (wages only; capital gains tax applies above threshold), Wyoming. Per each state's department of revenue. No changes to income-tax-free status for these states in 2025–2026 legislative sessions.
2026 retirement contribution limits: 403(b)/401(k)/457(b) employee deferral $24,500; IRC §415(c) annual additions cap $72,000. Per IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-43.
BLS OES state suppression policy: states with fewer than 3 employers or fewer than 10 employees in an occupation may have data withheld. Texas, Nevada, and Wyoming CRNA state-level figures are not consistently published in the BLS OES. Texas and Nevada salary ranges are drawn from aggregated marketplace data (AMN Healthcare, Vivian Health, 2025–2026) and should be treated as approximations.

Salary figures sourced from BLS May 2024 OES (most recent published state-level data). State income tax rates as of 2026 legislative sessions. Individual CRNA compensation varies based on experience, specialty, call obligations, employer, and contract terms.

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