Career comparison
Anesthesiologist vs. Nurse Anesthetist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Anesthesiologists earn more at the median ($391,490 vs. $236,590), while nurse anesthetists usually get to work faster (7–8+ years including RN and ICU experience of training). Anesthesiologists keep patients safe and pain-free before, during and after surgery. Nurse anesthetists give anesthesia and keep patients safe during surgery and procedures.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Anesthesiologist | Nurse Anesthetist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $391,490 ($188.22/hr) | $236,590 ($113.75/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $101,460 – $557,130 | $155,250 – $339,500 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.6% (about as fast as average) | +9.7% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,100 | 2,400 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Master's degree |
| Training time | 12–14 years after high school | 7–8+ years including RN and ICU experience |
| Key credential | Board certification (ABA) | CRNA (NBCRNA certification) |
| Work setting | Anesthesiologists work in operating rooms, labor and delivery, ICUs, surgery centers and pain clinics.. | CRNAs work in operating rooms, labor and delivery, surgery centers and procedure suites.. |
What each job does
Anesthesiologist
- Evaluate patients before anesthesia
- Plan and give anesthesia
- Manage airways and breathing
- Monitor vital signs during surgery
- Manage pain after surgery
Nurse Anesthetist
- Evaluate patients before anesthesia
- Plan anesthesia care
- Give general, regional and local anesthesia
- Manage airways and ventilation
- Monitor patients during procedures
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, high responsibility, hands-on work, and indoor work. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose anesthesiologist if…
- I love physiology and pharmacology
- I stay calm in emergencies
- I want a top-paying career
Choose nurse anesthetist if…
- I’m an ICU nurse ready for more
- I stay calm in emergencies
- I love physiology and pharmacology
Still torn? Take the Anesthesiologist fit quiz and the Nurse Anesthetist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist?
Anesthesiologists earn more at the median: $391,490 versus $236,590 for nurse anesthetists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Nurse Anesthetists typically train faster (7–8+ years including RN and ICU experience) than anesthesiologists (12–14 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects nurse anesthetists to grow +9.7% from 2025–35, compared with +3.6% for anesthesiologists.