Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced skills nurses who provide a critical service that many healthcare facilities direly need.
They administer 50 million anesthetics to patients each year.
It’s important to understand the future outlook for CRNAs for both healthcare employers and nurses who are or are planning to become nurse anesthetists. The job outlook for CRNAs is promising, with double-digit growth and some of the highest salaries in the industry.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the numbers, explore where the CRNA profession is headed, and highlight the opportunities it presents for both healthcare organizations and CRNAs themselves.
CRNA’s Role at a Glance
CRNAs are pivotal in the healthcare industry, as they deliver anesthesia services across diverse medical settings. They are responsible for administering anesthesia and ensuring patient safety during surgical and non-surgical procedures. Their expertise is especially crucial in areas experiencing physician shortages.
CRNAs typically hold a doctoral degree in nurse anesthesia, which requires extensive clinical experience in critical care settings, such as intensive care units. This advanced education equips them with the skills necessary to provide high-quality anesthesia care.
In many healthcare settings, CRNAs work independently, particularly in states that have opted out of the federal supervision requirement.
The combination of advanced education, critical care experience, and the ability to work in various healthcare settings makes CRNAs indispensable for patient health and the broader healthcare industry.
CRNA in Numbers
To get a better understanding of just how pivotal and full of potential a CRNA’s role is, let’s look at some statistics in detail:
Total CRNA Jobs
According to the 2025 figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are over 50,000 nurse anesthetists in the country. They reportedly make up 50% of the anesthesia workforce.
Median Salary
CRNAs are among the highest-paid nursing professionals, with a mean hourly wage of $111.39 and a mean annual wage of $231,700, as of May 2024, according to BLS data.
As CRNAs often provide specialized services compared to registered nurses, they’re paid a higher wage. In comparison, the median annual salary of a registered nurse in 2024 was $93,600.
Gender Breakdown
A 2024 report by the Center for the Future of Health Professions found that 53% of the CRNA workforce is female and 47% is male.
States & Metropolitan Areas with the Most CRNAs
According to the BLS, Florida employs the most CRNAs, with 6,140 nurse anesthetists working in the state. It’s followed by Texas (3,660), Michigan (2,960), and North Carolina (2,820).
Interestingly, California, which is the most populous state in the US, has 3,295 active nurse anesthetists as of April 2025.
As for metropolitan areas, Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI, has the highest concentration of CRNAs with 1,700 employed professionals.
Industries with the Most CRNAs
According to the BLS, the following industries have the highest employment of CRNAs:
- Physician offices (25,930)
- General medical and surgical hospitals (15,610)
- Other healthcare practitioners (3,780)
- Outpatient care centers (1,950)
CRNA Graduates
The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) reports that more than 2,400 nurse anesthetists graduate from CRNA school each year.
It also says that CRNA graduates typically have 9,432 hours of clinical experience. The CRNA program, which leads to a doctoral degree, is typically three years in length.
In total, CRNA education and training can take 8 to 8.5 years to complete. This includes, on average, 733 hours in nursing school, followed by an additional 2,604 hours of nurse anesthesia training.
CRNA Programs and Schools
According to the AANA, there are 141 accredited CRNA programs in the US and Puerto Rico. As for schools, there are over 130 schools in the country, with Pennsylvania having the most.
CRNA Job Outlook
Let’s take a closer look at the outlook for CRNA jobs:
Job Growth
CRNA jobs are poised to grow exponentially, at a rate significantly faster than the average for all occupations. According to the BLS, the growth is projected to be 40% from 2023 to 2033. There will be 141,200 jobs by 2033 (note that this number also includes nurse midwives and nurse practitioners). Around 31,900 openings are projected for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners each year. BLS cites the transfer of existing nurses to different occupations or their exit altogether as the likely cause for a large number of new openings.
Salary Projections
CRNAs are already the highest-compensated nurses, and their salaries are expected to continue increasing due to growing demand. According to one estimate, nurse anesthetist salaries are expected to increase by nearly 20% over the next five years. This is in line with the 21% salary increase reported in the past five years, according to BLS numbers.
Top Paying States & Industries
According to the job outlook from AANA, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, and Montana are the top-paying states for CRNAs. Similarly, Peoria, IL; San Diego, CA; Carbondale, IL; Boston, MA; Greenville, SC; Chicago, IL; San Francisco, CA; San Jose, CA; New York, NY; and Fort Collins, CO., are the top-paying metropolitan areas for nurse anesthetists.
As for the industries, AANA predicts the following will pay the best (in that order):
- Outpatient care centers
- General medical and surgical hospitals
- Specialty hospitals
- Home healthcare services
- Physician offices
CRNA Job Trends
The CRNA profession is experiencing significant shifts, influenced by demographic changes, technological advancements, and evolving healthcare needs.
These trends present both opportunities and challenges for CRNAs and healthcare employers aiming to optimize anesthesia services.
1. CRNAs as Primary Anesthesia Providers in Rural Areas
In many rural and underserved regions, CRNAs are often the sole providers of anesthesia. A study published in Nursing Outlook, focusing on CRNAs in California, found that nurse anesthetists were the only anesthesia providers in four counties in the state.
CRNAs play a crucial role in delivering quality anesthesia services to patients in these regions. Otherwise, patients may need to travel to cities even for simple procedures that require sedation. The demand for CRNAs in these rural areas is expected to continue rising. However, there are challenges in rural CRNA recruitment, which can be addressed through improved working conditions and flexible policies.
On the other hand, for CRNAs, working in rural hospitals presents opportunities for more autonomy (which is something many nurse anesthetists prefer). Because of a lack of anesthesia professionals and resources, healthcare facilities in remote, underserved areas will be more likely to offer full autonomy of practice to nurse anesthetists.
2. Increased Demand Due to Physician Shortages
The healthcare industry is facing a growing shortage of anesthesiologists. According to the Association of Medical Colleges, the shortage is projected to reach approximately 12,500 by 2033.
Here’s how one CRNA describes the shortage:
The shortage of anesthesiologists and anesthesia physicians will amplify the demand for CRNAs, who are well-equipped to fill these roles. This is all the more relevant for states that have opted out of the requirement for a physician to supervise a CRNA. Currently, that number stands at 25, with half the states not requiring supervision (also Washington D.C. and Guam).
Facilities are increasingly relying on CRNAs to maintain surgical schedules and provide continuous patient care, particularly in high-demand settings such as outpatient surgical centers and critical care units.
3. Aging Population Driving Anesthesia Demand
The aging U.S. population is also contributing to an increase in the volume of surgical procedures. That, in turn, is putting pressure on anesthesia services.
An article published in the Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health explored the shortage of anesthesia providers. The authors project that people crossing the age of 65 will increase by 55% in the next decade, which will increase demand for surgical services by 2-3% every year.
Older adults often require complex medical procedures and care, which is where CRNAs come in, who have the right mix of technical anesthetics skills and patient care.
4. Rising Costs Make CRNAs More Attractive for Healthcare Facilities
Hiring CRNAs offers a cost-effective solution for healthcare systems, particularly those operating under budget constraints. As CRNAs are traditionally compensated less than anesthesiologists, they’re less costly to hire.
In fact, research shows that CRNA-only anesthesia delivery is the most cost-effective, saving facilities 25% compared to the next lowest cost model. CRNAs enable hospitals, clinics, and outpatient care facilities to manage expenses without compromising the quality of care.
AANA compared different staffing models for anesthesia services, and it, too, found the CRNA-only model to be the most cost-effective.
5. Technological Advancements in Anesthesia
Advancements in medical technology are transforming anesthesia practices, and by extension, the role and responsibilities of CRNAs.
For instance, an increase in the use of closed-loop anesthesia delivery systems (CLAD) could potentially change the way CRNAs and other anesthesia professionals work. Although the progress made in technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) for anesthesia delivery is remarkable, they aren’t yet sophisticated enough to replace anesthesia experts like CRNAs.
Here’s what the authors of ‘A Comprehensive Analysis and Review of Artificial Intelligence in Anaesthesia’ say about technological advancements in anesthesia and their impact on jobs:
“The application of AI in this sector might have a big influence due to the fact that it has the potential to improve medical care, boost productivity, and advance educational and instructional practices. It is essential, however, to keep in mind that AI should be seen as a tool to aid anaesthesiologists rather than a replacement for them. In the field of medicine, both the human element and specialist knowledge will remain indispensable. AI has the potential to bolster the expertise of anaesthesiologists by offering support and facilitating the making of better-informed judgments.”
6. CRNAs May Experience Burnout
Despite the promising outlook, CRNAs may face challenges related to occupational burnout. A 2024 survey revealed that 56% of CRNAs reported feeling very or somewhat burned out.
High demand for their skills, especially in settings where they may be the sole anesthesia provider, may result in extended shifts. Nurses, in general, have been feeling the burnout post-COVID-19 pandemic with increasing demand and not enough people to fill the roles.
Healthcare employers will need to prioritize strategies to mitigate burnout to ensure that CRNAs are not overworked and exhausted. Burnout also increases turnover, research shows. And that’s the last thing facilities need, given the increasing demand for anesthesia.
How to Leverage the CRNA Job Market Trends
Healthcare employers aiming to tackle the evolving market of anesthesia services must strategically leverage current CRNA job market trends. CRNAs are integral to healthcare teams, especially in light of workforce shortages and the growing demand for cost-effective, high-quality care.
1. Embrace the Expanding CRNA Workforce
The CRNA profession is experiencing significant growth. This surge gives healthcare employers a great opportunity to hire CRNAs and expand their workforce. As an anesthesiologist shortage is projected, CRNAs can seamlessly fill in their role and support them when needed, allowing you to continue providing your patients with quality care.
Research confirms that there’s no harm in anesthesia care provided solely by a CRNA without the supervision of an anesthesiologist.
Pro tip: You can partner with a CRNA recruiting agency to hire both new and experienced nurse anesthetists.
2. Optimize Staffing Models with CRNAs
CRNAs offer a cost-effective solution for delivering anesthesia services without compromising quality. Also, their ability to work independently in various healthcare settings, including outpatient care centers and rural hospitals, makes them invaluable.
Optimize your staffing model by integrating more CRNAs. This way, healthcare facilities can address provider shortages and maintain efficient surgical schedules. And as mentioned earlier, a model with more CRNAs is significantly cheaper than one with more anesthesiologists, as the latter have higher salaries.
3. Take Advantage of Locum Tenens Opportunities
The locum tenens market for CRNAs is significant, mainly because of the anesthesiologist shortage. In fact, locum tenens work dominates the CRNA profession, with as many as 70% of nurses taking such roles.
CRNAs in locum tenens roles often command higher hourly rates, with compensation reaching or more annually for consistent assignments. Still, they’re more affordable than anesthesia physicians. You can work with a locum tenens CRNA recruiter to address temporary staffing needs, manage workload fluctuations, and ensure continuous patient care.
4. Invest in Professional Development and Retention
To attract and retain top CRNA talent, healthcare employers should offer competitive compensation packages, opportunities for professional growth, and supportive work environments.
Burnout is a serious issue among nursing roles, including CRNAs, and work-life balance is increasingly important to today’s workforce. You can boost CRNA retention and performance by providing access to continuing education, offering greater autonomy, and supporting benefits like loan repayment programs.
As many as 34 studies show that nurses are more likely to stay if they have job satisfaction.
How to Make It as a CRNA
If you’re a CRNA or aspiring to be one, you have the opportunity to tap into the growing market of this profession. With a salary exceeding $200,000, it has the potential to become a highly rewarding career.
The first step is to attain the education and training from an accredited CRNA school. As of 2025, all new CRNA programs are required to be at the doctoral level, emphasizing the importance of advanced education in this field.
Then, you can target high-paying industries like outpatient clinics and surgical centers. Decide whether you want to work as an employee (W-2) or an independent contractor (1099) CRNA, whichever works best for your financial and career goals. If you want more freedom of practice, consider working in a rural or underserved community.
Pro tip: Go for locum tenens roles to gain diverse experiences and potentially higher compensation. These temporary positions can offer flexibility and exposure to different healthcare environments, enhancing your resume and professional growth.
Strengthen Your Workforce Strategy: Invest in CRNAs Today
The CRNA job outlook is strong, with increasing job numbers. For healthcare firms, hiring CRNAs is a viable way to meet anesthesia services demands, which only seem to be increasing with an aging population (and overall rising population).
With certification from CRNA schools and years of training, CRNAs can help your facilities deliver quality, reliable anesthesia services for both emergency and elective procedures.
All you need is the right recruitment partner to tap the best CRNA talent before competitors grab them.
Get in touch with AAG/H today to discuss CRNA talent acquisition!
FAQs
What state pays CRNAs the highest salary?
As of 2025, Massachusetts leads with an average annual CRNA salary of $292,390, followed by Washington at $276,110, and Vermont at $272,180.
Are CRNAs in demand nationwide or only in certain regions?
CRNAs are in high demand across the United States, with a projected employment growth of 40% by 2032. This demand is particularly acute in rural and underserved areas, where CRNAs often serve as the primary anesthesia providers.
What certifications can enhance CRNA career prospects?
Beyond the mandatory National Certification Examination (NCE), obtaining additional certifications can help improve CRNA career prospects. These certifications include:
- Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN): Validates expertise in critical care settings, often a prerequisite for CRNA programs.
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS): Essential for those specializing in pediatric anesthesia.
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS): Demonstrates proficiency in managing cardiac emergencies.
How can new CRNAs break into high-demand markets?
To enter high-demand markets, consider the following strategies:
- Pursue locum tenens positions: Temporary assignments can provide exposure to various healthcare settings and often offer higher compensation.
- Relocate to high-demand areas: States like Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Illinois offer higher salaries and also have a greater need for CRNAs due to physician shortages.
- Network with healthcare recruiters: Engage with recruiters to get insight into new opportunities and help tailor your resume to meet employer needs.
