October 5, 2026 Report Gives Rosy Forecast for Profession The market for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists will grow by nearly 10% by 2035, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The Occupational Outlook Handbook, updated by BLS in August 2026, identifies that anesthesiology is one of the most in-demand subfields of the healthcare industry. Key CRNA/Nurse Anesthesiologist Statistics from the Report: Employment data: There are approximately 54,500 CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists employed in the United States across hospitals, outpatient care centers, physicians’ offices, and specialty hospitals. Job outlook: The BLS projects a 10% growth in employment between 2025 and 2035, which is much faster than average growth of other professions. Median pay: CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists are the highest-paid professionals in the nursing field, according to the report. The median salary is $236,590, but wages vary based on experience, geographic location, type of employer, and level of responsibility. States with the Highest CRNA/Nurse Anesthesiologist Employment(1): Texas Florida Pennsylvania Illinois California Top Paying States: Alaska Indiana Vermont New York California Top Paying Metropolitan Areas: Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY Ann Arbor, MI Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Green Bay, WI Rochester, MN San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Santa Rose-Petaluma, CA Sheboygan, WI Top Paying Non-Metropolitan Areas: Northern New Hampshire Northwest Illinois South Illinois Southwest Maine West Central Illinois Top Paying Industries: Office of Dentists Outpatient care centers General medical and surgical hospitals Specialty hospitals Employment Services Contributing Factors to Job Growth Optimal scope of practice: CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists are increasingly recognized for their ability to provide high-quality anesthesia care at a lower cost compared to other anesthesia providers. Legislative and regulatory changes in some states allow CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists to practice to the full extent of their education and training without unnecessary restrictions. Many states have opted out of the federal physician supervision requirement, and others may soon be following suit. Explore the scope of practice rules in your state to learn more. Shortage of anesthesia providers: A shortage of anesthesia providers is impacting many regions of the country. Rural communities will likely be hit the hardest, exacerbating healthcare disparities in these areas. Find job openings in high-need regions. Growing interest in the field: Interest in nurse anesthesiology is steadily increasing. As of 2025, there were nearly 11,000 residents enrolled in 150+ accredited nurse anesthesia programs (2) — a hopeful indicator for the future. Get resident resources to support your journey. Ready to Take the First Step to Become a CRNA/Nurse Anesthesiologist? Becoming a CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist is an exciting and rewarding journey that starts with the right preparation and guidance. By becoming an RN-APRN member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA), you gain valuable resources to support your career. From professional development opportunities to networking with current CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists, AANA is here to support you every step of the way. Take the first step toward a fulfilling career today. Join the AANA as an RN-APRN member and start unlocking the resources and support you need to succeed. Visit our RN-APRN membership page to learn more and start your journey toward a fulfilling and financially rewarding career. Footnotes U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners: Job Outlook. (2026). National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. (n.d.). NBCRNA certification. https://www.nbcrna.com/students/nbcrna-certification #Career and workforce #Residents #RN-APRN Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Share Print