Career comparison
Nurse Anesthetist vs. Registered Nurse
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. $97,550), while registered nurses usually get to work faster (2–4 years of training). Nurse anesthetists give anesthesia and keep patients safe during surgery and procedures. Registered nurses assess patients, give treatments, coordinate care and educate families.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Nurse Anesthetist | Registered Nurse | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $236,590 ($113.75/hr) | $97,550 ($46.90/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $155,250 – $339,500 | $68,940 – $137,470 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +9.7% (much faster than average) | +5.6% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 2,400 | 180,800 |
| Typical entry education | Master's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 7–8+ years including RN and ICU experience | 2–4 years |
| Key credential | CRNA (NBCRNA certification) | NCLEX-RN license |
| Work setting | CRNAs work in operating rooms, labor and delivery, surgery centers and procedure suites.. | About half of RNs work in hospitals; others work in physician offices, home health, nursing homes, outpatient and ambulatory surgery centers, schools, government and the military. |
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
Registered Nurse
- Assess patients’ physical and emotional condition and record observations
- Administer medications, IV fluids and treatments as ordered
- Monitor patients, interpret vital signs and lab values and recognize deterioration
- Develop and update nursing care plans
- Coordinate care with physicians, therapists, case managers and families
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 nurse anesthetist if…
- I’m an ICU nurse ready for more
- I stay calm in emergencies
- I love physiology and pharmacology
Choose registered nurse if…
- I want a career where I make a real difference in people’s health
- I can stay calm and think clearly in emergencies
- I’m willing to complete two to four years of rigorous study
Still torn? Take the Nurse Anesthetist fit quiz and the Registered Nurse fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, nurse anesthetist or registered nurse?
Nurse Anesthetists earn more at the median: $236,590 versus $97,550 for registered nurses, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Registered Nurses typically train faster (2–4 years) than nurse anesthetists (7–8+ years including RN and ICU experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects nurse anesthetists to grow +9.7% from 2025–35, compared with +5.6% for registered nurses.