What Nurse Anesthetists Are Really Earning
What will CRNAs actually be earning in 2026? And more importantly, how do you know if you’re being paid fairly?
We ask thousands of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists every year. The responses are nuanced, and more often than not laced with frustration. Rates vary wildly from state to state, facility to facility, and role to role. Some employers are transparent. Others are silent or evasive. CRNAs are left to ask around, compare notes, or guess.
That’s why we built Lokum’s CRNA Salary Calculator, and why salary transparency continues to be our priority. But before we dive into tools, let’s look at what the data tells us about trends.
What’s the Average CRNA Salary in 2026?
As of Q1 2026, the average CRNA salary ranges from $205,000 to $260,000 annually, depending on role type and employment structure. That breaks down to roughly $100–$130 per hour, before taxes.
A few quick variables that move the needle:
- 1099 vs W2: Independent contractor roles (1099) generally pay more but don’t include benefits.
- Setting: Rural hospitals often pay more than urban academic centers.
- Call requirements: Facilities that require in-house call or frequent callbacks often boost pay accordingly.
But those are just averages. The real insight comes from regional variation.
CRNA Salary by Region: Highest Paying States in 2026
We’ve seen continued upward pressure on CRNA pay in specific regions, particularly the Mountain West and parts of the South. According to aggregated Lokum data and publically available benchmarks:
| State | Avg Annual Salary | Notable Factors |
|---|---|---|
| California | $265,000+ | High COL, many independent practice settings |
| Texas | $250,000+ | Large locum market, high demand in rural areas |
| Oregon | $245,000+ | High autonomy, limited supply of CRNAs |
| Georgia | $240,000+ | Mix of perm and contract demand |
| Illinois | $235,000+ | Consistent locum availability, high call rates |
The CRNA highest paying states often reflect staffing shortages, autonomous practice laws, and competition among employers. But individual rates can still vary depending on how savvy you are about negotiation and timing.
What’s Driving These Salary Trends?
CRNA compensation has always been complex, but recent shifts in the market have made pay even more volatile:
- Increased reliance on locum staffing: Especially in post-COVID recovery years
- Burnout and attrition: Many CRNAs are seeking flexible, better-paying roles to avoid burnout
- Cost of living pressure: Urban CRNAs are demanding higher rates to match inflation
- Transparency movement: More CRNAs are sharing rates, making it harder for lowball offers to stick
We’re seeing more CRNAs use tools like Lokum App to anonymously express interest in jobs, watermark their resumes and upload them for easier up-front negotiation, or opt out of recruiting agencies if they prefer direct contracting. The result? More control over where and how they work—and a better sense of what the going rate really is.
How to Use Data to Advocate for Yourself
Knowing the average CRNA salary isn’t enough. You need to understand your value based on your location, experience, shift type, and employment model. Here’s how to get specific:
- Use the CRNA Salary Calculator to get a market-tuned estimate based on crowdsourced data.
- Keep track of your offers: Note whether they’re 1099 or W2, what benefits are included, and how the schedule is structured.
- Learn from peers: Lokum is mapping out the CRNA market to help you stay in touch with what others are seeing in real time.
- Give feedback: In Lokum, you can flag jobs as too low, too far, or too rigid—helping shape better offers for everyone.
Tools That Help You Navigate Salary Conversations
We’ve built our mobile app to support CRNAs at every step of the job process—not just when you’re applying, but when you’re considering whether something is worth your time. Here’s how:
- Watermarked Resume Vault: Keep control over your CV
- Anonymous Job Interest Signals: Let employers know you’re open—without revealing your info
- Personalized Matches: Based on your preferences and job goals
- Travel & Housing Support Visibility: Know upfront what’s offered
- Direct Chat with Employers: No phone calls or texts unless you permit
- Credentialing & Onboarding Tracker: Know where you stand
These features are part of a broader move toward provider-first transparency in the CRNA market.
Why Pay Transparency Matters for CRNAs
When CRNAs can see what others are earning—and contribute their own data anonymously—we all benefit. It reduces misinformation, levels the negotiating field, and helps employers stay competitive.
If we want better offers, more autonomy, and smarter staffing, the first step is shared insight. That’s what we’re building together.
Ready to Contribute Your Data?
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re being lowballed—or how your pay stacks up—this is your moment. Submit your information securely to unlock insights in the CRNA Salary Map. The more data we share, the clearer the picture becomes.
[Contribute anonymously] (link landing page in Lokum App once we have it) or check out the CRNA Salary Calculator today.
CRNA Salary FAQs
What’s the current CRNA annual salary?
Most CRNAs earn between $205,000–$260,000 annually in 2026, depending on role, region, and employment type. See our full CRNA Salary Guide for breakdowns.
Which states pay CRNAs the most?
States like California, Texas, and Oregon consistently top the list. See our post on Highest Paying CRNA States for details.
Where can I find the most updated salary insights?
The Career Compass blog includes real quotes from CRNAs, new salary data, and trends you won’t see anywhere else.
Does employment type affect salary?
Absolutely. 1099 roles often pay more per hour but come without benefits. Check out our 1099 CRNA Guide to compare.
Built by CRNAs, for CRNAs. Lokum is the career platform that puts transparency and career autonomy first.