Career comparison
Nurse Anesthetist vs. Nurse Practitioner
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Nurse anesthetists earn more at the median ($236,590 vs. $132,300), while nurse practitioners usually get to work faster (6–8 years including RN education of training). Nurse anesthetists give anesthesia and keep patients safe during surgery and procedures. Nurse practitioners diagnose, treat and prescribe as an advanced practice registered nurse.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Nurse Anesthetist | Nurse Practitioner | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $236,590 ($113.75/hr) | $132,300 ($63.61/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $155,250 – $339,500 | $101,340 – $174,420 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +9.7% (much faster than average) | +41.0% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 2,400 | 29,400 |
| Typical entry education | Master's degree | Master's degree |
| Training time | 7–8+ years including RN and ICU experience | 6–8 years including RN education |
| Key credential | CRNA (NBCRNA certification) | FNP-BC or FNP-C |
| Work setting | CRNAs work in operating rooms, labor and delivery, surgery centers and procedure suites.. | NPs work in primary care clinics, hospitals, specialty practices, urgent care, schools and telehealth.. |
What each job does
Nurse Anesthetist
- Evaluate patients before anesthesia
- Plan anesthesia care
- Give general, regional and local anesthesia
- Manage airways and ventilation
- Monitor patients during procedures
Nurse Practitioner
- Assess and examine patients
- Diagnose acute and chronic conditions
- Prescribe medications and treatments
- Order and interpret tests
- Manage chronic disease
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, high responsibility, and in-demand. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose nurse anesthetist if…
- I’m an ICU nurse ready for more
- I stay calm in emergencies
- I love physiology and pharmacology
Choose nurse practitioner if…
- I’m a nurse who wants more autonomy
- I enjoy diagnosing and treating
- I like building patient relationships
Still torn? Take the Nurse Anesthetist fit quiz and the Nurse Practitioner fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, nurse anesthetist or nurse practitioner?
Nurse Anesthetists earn more at the median: $236,590 versus $132,300 for nurse practitioners, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Nurse Practitioners typically train faster (6–8 years including RN education) than nurse anesthetists (7–8+ years including RN and ICU experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects nurse practitioners to grow +41.0% from 2025–35, compared with +9.7% for nurse anesthetists.