Registered Nurse
Assess patients, give treatments, coordinate care and educate families.
- $97,550
- 2–4 years
Healthcare career
Nurse Anesthetist
Also called: CRNA · Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist · Nurse Anesthesiologist · Anesthesia Provider
What nurse anesthetists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a nurse anesthetist do?
Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice registered nurses who give anesthesia and related care before, during and after surgery, procedures and childbirth. The median pay is $236,590 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 7–8+ years including RN and ICU experience, and employment is projected to grow +9.7% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$236,590$113.75/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+9.7%2025–35, much faster than average
- Openings per year2,400Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationMaster's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train7–8+ years including RN and ICU experienceTypical program length
- U.S. jobs54,500Employment, 2025
What nurse anesthetists do
Nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) keep patients safe and comfortable under anesthesia. They evaluate patients before surgery, develop anesthesia plans, give general, regional and local anesthesia, manage airways, monitor vital signs throughout procedures and oversee recovery. They work in hospitals, surgery centers, dental and pain clinics, and are the main anesthesia providers in many rural hospitals and the military.
CRNAs are registered nurses with critical care experience who complete a doctoral nurse anesthesia program (about three years) and pass a national certification exam. They are among the highest-paid nursing roles, and BLS projects faster-than-average growth.
Typical duties
- Evaluate patients before anesthesia
- Plan anesthesia care
- Give general, regional and local anesthesia
- Manage airways and ventilation
- Monitor patients during procedures
- Manage pain and recovery
- Respond to emergencies
Work environment and schedule
CRNAs work in operating rooms, labor and delivery, surgery centers and procedure suites.
Schedule: Schedules include early starts, long cases, call shifts, nights and weekends.
A day in the life
- Check anesthesia machines and drugs.
- Interview the first patient and review labs.
- Induce general anesthesia and place a breathing tube.
- Give a spinal anesthetic for a knee replacement.
See a full day in the life of a nurse anesthetist →
Nurse Anesthetist salary
Half of nurse anesthetists earned more than $236,590 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $155,250 for the lowest 10% to $339,500 for the top 10%.
Full nurse anesthetist pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a nurse anesthetist
- Earn a BSN and RN license
- Work in critical care
- Complete a nurse anesthesia program
- Pass the NCE
- Get licensed
CRNAs are RNs with critical care experience who complete a doctoral nurse anesthesia program (DNP or DNAP) and pass the National Certification Examination.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a nurse anesthetist →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Anesthesia pharmacology
- Airway management
- Regional anesthesia
- Hemodynamic monitoring
- Crisis management
People skills
- Calm under pressure
- Vigilance
- Communication
- Decisiveness
All nurse anesthetist skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very high pay
- High autonomy
- Respected, specialized role
- Strong demand, especially in rural areas
Cons
- Long, intense training
- High-stakes work
- Call and long cases
- Critical care experience required first
Certifications and licenses
- CRNA (NBCRNA certification): Earned by passing the National Certification Examination.
- State APRN license: Required to practice.
- ACLS and PALS: Life support certifications.
- Continued Professional Certification: Ongoing NBCRNA recertification.
Career path
- ICU Registered Nurse: Gain critical care experience.
- CRNA: Provide anesthesia.
- Chief CRNA: Lead anesthesia teams.
- Program Director or Educator: Train new CRNAs.
Learn the job before day one
Our Nurse Anesthetist training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as complete a pre-anesthesia check and evaluate a patient before surgery, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Anesthesiologist
Keep patients safe and pain-free before, during and after surgery.
- $391,490
- 12–14 years after high school
Nurse Practitioner
Diagnose, treat and prescribe as an advanced practice registered nurse.
- $132,300
- 6–8 years including RN education
Surgical Technologist
Prepare the operating room, keep the sterile field and pass instruments to surgeons.
- $64,650
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Compare: CRNA vs. RN · CRNA vs. Anesthesiologist · CRNA vs. NP · CRNA vs. Surgical Tech
Nurse Anesthetist FAQ
How long does it take to become a CRNA?
Usually 7–8 years or more, including nursing school, ICU experience and a doctoral program.
Do CRNAs need a doctorate?
Yes, new CRNAs now graduate with a doctoral degree.
Can CRNAs work independently?
It depends on state law and facility policy.
How much does a nurse anesthetist make?
The median annual wage for nurse anesthetists was $236,590 ($113.75 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $155,250 and the highest 10% earned more than $339,500.
How long does it take to become a nurse anesthetist?
Most people need about 7–8+ years including RN and ICU experience of training. CRNAs are RNs with critical care experience who complete a doctoral nurse anesthesia program (DNP or DNAP) and pass the National Certification Examination.
Do you need a degree to be a nurse anesthetist?
Yes. BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry-level education, and you also need a state license to practice.
More nurse anesthetist questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 29-1151 (Nurse anesthetists).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Nurse anesthetists (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.