Is becoming a CRNA worth it?

The demand for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) is higher than ever, with projected employment rates for nurse anesthetists expected to grow by 14% over the next ten years.

As of May 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the mean annual average salary for nurse anesthetists in the United States was over $183,000 in a year. Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are the highest paid of all nursing specialties.

This is because being a nurse anesthetist requires a person to have a high level of skill, experience, knowledge, and judgment as they manage a patient's anesthesia.

While all CRNAs make an above-average salary, it is important to note that there is a nearly $100,000 range between an entry-level nurse anesthetist's salary and a nurse anesthetist working in the position for eight or more years.

Entry-level nurse anesthetists typically make an average salary of around $120,000 annually. Meanwhile, a senior CRNA will typically earn over $220,000 in a year.

For a highly motivated individual who wants to work in the healthcare field, the role of the CRNA is a worthwhile position to pursue.