What is the CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist job outlook?

Report Gives Rosy Forecast for Profession

The market for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists/nurse anesthesiologists will grow by nearly 38% by 2032, according to a new report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The 2024 Occupational Outlook Handbook, released by BLS in April 2024, reports that the discipline of anesthesiology is one of the most in-demand subfields of the healthcare industry.

Other key CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist statistics in the report include:

• Employment data: There are approximately 57,000 CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists employed in the United States. This number includes CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists working in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient care centers, physicians’ offices, and specialty hospitals.
• Job outlook: The BLS projects a 38% growth in employment in the field between 2022 and 2032, much faster than average growth of other professions.
• Median pay: CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists are the highest paid in the nursing profession, according to the report. The average median pay for the profession is $212,650. However, salaries vary based on factors such as experience, geographic location, type of employer, and level of responsibility.
• Dominance in rural areas: CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists represent more than 80% of anesthesia providers in rural counties.
• States with the highest CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist employment level:
  • Texas
  • Florida
  • Ohio
  • Tennessee
  • Pennsylvania
• Top paying states:
  • Illinois
  • Massachusetts
  • Montana
  • New York
  • Vermont
• Top paying metropolitan areas:
  • Peoria, IL
  • San Diego, CA
  • Carbondale, IL
  • Boston, MA
  • Greenville, SC
  • Chicago, IL
  • San Francisco, CA
  • San Jose, CA
  • New York, NY
  • Fort Collins, CO
• Top paying non-metropolitan areas:
  • West-central Illinois
  • Southwest Montana
  • Western Wisconsin
  • Central Missouri
  • Coastal Oregon
• Top paying industries:
  • Outpatient care centers
  • General medical and surgical hospitals
  • Specialty hospitals
  • Home healthcare services
  • Physician offices

Contributing Factors

Several factors are contributing to the healthy job outlook, including:

Full scope of practice: CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists are increasingly being recognized for their ability to provide high-quality anesthesia care, often at a lower cost compared to other anesthesia providers. Legislative and regulatory changes in some states allow CRNAs/nas to practice to the full extent of their education and training and to provide anesthesia care without unnecessary restrictions. Many states have opted out of the federal physician supervision requirement and others may soon be following suit. Explore scope of practice rules in your state.

Shortage of anesthesia providers: There is a shortage of anesthesia providers in many regions of the country. By 2033, the anesthesiology workforce may experience a shortage of approximately 12,500, representing nearly 22% of the current staff. The shortage of CRNAs is anticipated to hit rural communities the hardest, exacerbating healthcare disparities in these areas. Find job openings.

Growing interest in the field: As of 2023, there were nearly 8,500 residents enrolled in 133 accredited nurse anesthesia programs — a hopeful indicator for the future. Get resident resources.