Nurse anesthetists earn a mean annual wage of $248,320 (BLS, May 2025).
Nurses are an integral part of health care, doing far more than many people realize or give them credit. After and earning their credentials, nurses often pursue advanced degrees that allow them to specialize in one area. Nurse anesthetists follow that path, which could lead to a mean annual wage of $248,320 (BLS, May 2025).
Nurse anesthetists fall into the category of advanced practice registered nurses (APRN). They give patients anesthesia before, during and after medical procedures that require it such as surgery and obstetrical procedures, as well as some therapeutic and diagnostic services. Getting that well-paid position, which is one of the highest among nursing professions, requires dedication, commitment and more education.
First, the candidate must be a registered nurse with a license in good standing. Second, they must have the right degree. While many registered nurses hold a Bachelor of Science Degree (BSN), some have an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Because anesthetist programs earn students a Master’s degree, PhD or post-graduate certificate, all students need to have a BSN. Some schools offer ADN to BSN bridge programs to get associate degree candidates ready for anesthetist school acceptance. Once they have a BSN, it’s important to enroll in an accredited program. Typically, these programs last 24-to-36 months and include class coursework and clinical experiences.
Average Salary for Nurse Anesthetists Graduates
After graduation, the amount earned depends on the type of place where the nurse works. Some nurse anesthetists make much more than the average and others make less.
Geographic Impact on Nursing Salaries
Salaries in this field also vary by geography, meaning that nurse anesthetist earnings go up or down depending on the physical location of the job. For current wages by state and industry, see the BLS wage data for nurse anesthetists (May 2025).
A Career as a Nurse Anesthetists is Lucrative
Regardless of where nurse anesthetists end up practicing their profession, they can expect higher salaries than most other workers and professions in the United States. A big part of the reason for the excellent pay is that nurse anesthetists hold the lives of patient’s in their hands. These health care professionals must be educated and highly trained to do their job properly and know how to respond quickly and effectively if something goes wrong during a medical procedure. To ensure they are qualified, graduates of nurse anesthetist programs must take the National Certification Exam (NCE) and pass to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). This is required to get a state license. Exceptions to this are in New York and Pennsylvania. While both states require nurse anesthetists to be certified, they do not require them to hold a state license.
Nurse anesthetist is a great field to consider for nurses looking to go into advanced care practice. According to the U.S. BLS, the field is growing. That means nurse anesthetists are and will be in demand, and job prospects are good.
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