Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Master's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Nurse anesthetists are advanced nursing professionals who combine strong scientific knowledge, critical thinking, and patient-focused care. Nationally, this career has a median annual salary of $223,210 and employs about 54,000 professionals, indicating a sizable and established field. Projected employment growth of 8.6% and 3,000 annual openings suggest continuing demand for new entrants. Typical preparation requires a master’s degree, so this path fits individuals ready for graduate-level education and rigorous training. Success in this career draws on a broad mix of skills, including science, mathematics, problem solving and decision making, and being detail oriented. Strong interpersonal, leadership, and customer service skills also matter, reflecting the importance of working closely with patients and healthcare teams. For those comparing advanced medical careers, related options include oral and maxillofacial surgeons, ophthalmologists (except pediatric), orthopedic surgeons (except pediatric), pediatric surgeons, and surgeons (all other).
Nurse anesthetists earn a national median annual salary of $223,210, reflecting strong income potential for professionals who meet the education and skill requirements. Salaries vary meaningfully by location. Among states, New York shows a median salary of $321,030, Massachusetts $295,550, California $292,410, Washington $274,390, and Virginia $252,110. At the metro level, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area stands out with a median salary of $321,030, while Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue offers $274,390 and Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington $238,540. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria reports $223,150 and Denver-Aurora-Centennial $216,700. These differences indicate that geographic choice can significantly influence earning potential. Prospective nurse anesthetists can factor these regional salary patterns into long-term career planning, especially if they are open to relocating to higher-paying states or metro areas.
The national employment level for nurse anesthetists is 54,000, supported by 3,000 annual openings. This combination suggests ongoing replacement needs and opportunities for new graduates or career changers who complete the necessary education. Projected employment growth of 8.6% indicates that the total number of positions is expected to rise over time. This projection is consistent across the highlighted states and metro areas, all of which report 8.6% growth. For individuals considering a long-term career, this pattern points to a field with both current employment and anticipated expansion. The presence of thousands of annual openings also suggests opportunities across experience levels, from entry into the profession after training to movement between employers and regions. Compared with other advanced medical paths such as oral and maxillofacial surgeons or orthopedic surgeons, nurse anesthetists offer a distinct option with clearly quantified growth and hiring needs.
Location plays a major role in the overall opportunity profile for nurse anesthetists. Among states, New York has a median salary of $321,030, employment of 2,450, and an opportunity score of 65.78, combining higher pay with a relatively large workforce. California offers a median salary of $292,410, employment of 2,230, and the highest listed state opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts has a median salary of $295,550 and an opportunity score of 65.87, but a smaller employment base of 500. Washington and Virginia offer median salaries of $274,390 and $252,110, with opportunity scores of 56.29 and 54.96 respectively. At the metro level, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area stands out with an opportunity score of 77.27, median salary of $321,030, and employment of 2,310. Other notable metros include Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, and Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, each blending different combinations of salary, employment size, and opportunity scores.
Nurse anesthetists typically need a master’s degree, so this path is geared toward individuals pursuing or completing graduate-level education. This advanced study supports core skills that are important in the role, including science and mathematics, which underpin the technical and clinical aspects of practice. Being detail oriented and strong in problem solving and decision making aligns with the need to handle complex information and make sound judgments. Critical and analytical thinking skills further strengthen a nurse anesthetist’s ability to evaluate situations and options. Interpersonal and customer service skills are also prominent, reflecting the importance of working effectively with patients and healthcare teams. Leadership and project management skills indicate that many professionals in this field may coordinate activities, guide others, or help manage aspects of care delivery. For those prepared to invest in a master’s degree and cultivate this broad skill set, nurse anesthesia offers a clearly defined educational pathway into an advanced healthcare career.
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