RN to Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): Pay and Requirements
The median nurse anesthetist (CRNA) earns $236,590 a year against $97,550 for the median registered nurse — $139,040 more, or 143% (BLS, May 2025).
What the Step Pays
Federal wage survey data — employer-reported, not job-board estimates. 51,840 nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are employed nationwide.
| National, May 2025 | Registered Nurse | Nurse Practitioner | Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $97,550 | $132,300 | $236,590 |
| Median hourly | $46.90 | $63.61 | $113.75 |
| 10th percentile | $68,940 | $101,340 | $155,250 |
| 90th percentile | $137,470 | $174,420 | $339,500 |
| Employed nationwide | 3,379,720 | 323,040 | 51,840 |
What It Takes
- You need an RN license before you can start advanced-practice education.
- Nurse anesthesia programs require a year of RN experience in a critical care setting before you start.
- After the graduate degree you must pass a national certification exam and hold a state APRN license.
Summarized from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (linked under Sources). Schools and state boards set their own admission and licensing rules — confirm with the program and the board before you commit.
Sources
- National wages for nursing assistants, LPNs, RNs, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetistsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics · Data: May 2025 · Checked
- How to become a nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, or nurse practitionerU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook · Checked
Frequently Asked Questions
How much more does a nurse anesthetist (CRNA) make than an RN?
$139,040 a year at the national median: $236,590 versus $97,550, per the BLS May 2025 wage survey.
What do you need for this step?
You need an RN license before you can start advanced-practice education. Nurse anesthesia programs require a year of RN experience in a critical care setting before you start. After the graduate degree you must pass a national certification exam and hold a state APRN license. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Keep going
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- FinderNurse Salary Ladder: CNA to CRNACompare national median pay, pay range, headcount, and the typical education path for six nursing roles, from CNA to CRNA, using federal BLS data.