How Much Is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Salary? Primary Influences

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Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) are advanced practice nurses who provide anesthesia, or pain-relief, to patients undergoing some form of surgery. They are required to take have a bachelor of science degree in nursing, one year of experience, and a current registered nurse license to apply to graduate school. Once they’ve applied, they must take specialized courses in anesthesiology, and graduate from an accredited program before passing the national certification exam to be licensed.

How Much Does a Nurse Anesthetist Make?

nurse anesthetist salary in 2012

The median annual CRNA salary in the United States is $157,788. As can be seen in the graph above, the lowest 10% make less than $140,064 per year, while the top 10% make more than $177,630 per year. These numbers do not, however, show the variances of part-time verses full-time work, how location and years of experience influence the salary rate, or bonus. These numbers are just the base salary rate that a CRNA can expect. The 2012 LocumTenens Annual Compensation and Employment Survey showed a higher rate: $167,607, including base salary and bonuses, for full-time CRNAs.

Rural locations can increase the salary range for CRNAs since 100% of anesthesia administered in these areas is performed by nurse anesthetists. They do not have to compete with physician anesthetists for positions. In addition, the wage can be higher to attract more qualified applications to the rural position.

Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurse positions are expected to increase by 26% by the year 2020. Since they undergo specialized training and exam requirements, CRNAs will continue to make more than general registered nurses, in addition to having a higher demand for their services because there are less of them practicing.

LocumTenens also illustrates that 51% of CRNAs are employed in hospitals while 31% work in group practices. Over half of CRNAs are salaried, 62%, while 34% are locum tenens, temporary workers, or independent contractor only. These figures reflect that there are numerous avenues that a CRNA can find work in and receive stable wages. Becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist is a career path that will be highly sought after in the coming years.

Duties

According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, CRNAs work in conjunction with surgeons, dentists, podiatrists, and sometimes physician anesthetists, to administer anesthesia and monitor the patient’s vital signs and the anesthetic to ensure safety and comfort. They are educated and can administer the three types of anesthesia: general (full-body anesthesia), regional (specific region anesthesia), and local (small region anesthesia) depending on the requirements of the operation.

CRNAs duties are not just in the operating room; they take care of the patient before, during, and after the surgery.  Before the treatment, they preform patient evaluations and help prepare the patient for their operation. During the surgery, they administer the anesthesia and monitor vital signs for any adverse reactions. After surgery, they make sure the patient wakes up from anesthesia, update the medical records, and perform postoperative patient evaluations and follow up.

You might also want consult my other post on the higher anesthesiologist salary, they have similar jobs. I’ll try to add a detailed Anesthesiologist vs Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists salary post in the future that will compare not only salaries but also job descriptions and years of education!

How Much do Anesthesiologists Make & Primary Influences On An Anesthesiologist Salary

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Anesthesiology is a specialization that physicians can work in. Like certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs, we did a post on them here), the anesthesiologist administers pain-relief drugs during surgery and monitor patient’s vital signs.

How Much Does an Anesthesiologist Make?

anesthesiologist salary in 2012 at a glanceIn May 2011, there were 33,310 anesthesiologists according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Their mean hourly rate was $112.96 while the mean annual salary was $234,950. Only the lowest 10% of anesthesiologists make less than $90 per hour; that group makes no more than $68.75 per hour or $143,000 per year. However, these figures do not differentiate between full- and part-time workers. In addition, the annual salary only the base rate anesthesiologist salary and does not include bonuses. To really calculate how much do anesthesiologists make, you have to calculate bonuses. LocumTenens 2012 Annual Compensation and Employment Survey portrays the annual salary for full-time anesthesiologist as $364,961, including bonuses.

Industry

The top five paying industries are Offices of Physicians, Specialty Hospitals (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse), Outpatient Care Centers, General Medical and Surgical Hospitals, and Offices of other Heath Practitioners. Physician’s offices employed 27,510 anesthesiologists and paid them an average of $116.94 per hour or $243,240 per year. One hundred anesthesiologists worked in specialty hospitals and made an average hourly rate of $113.33 or $235,720 per year. Outpatient care centers employed 690 anesthesiologists and paid them an average of $112.01 per hour or $232,970 per year. There were 3,810 anesthesiologists working in general medical and surgical hospitals and they were paid, on average, $96.30 per hour or $200,310 per annum. Lastly, 460 anesthesiologists worked in offices of other health practitioners and were paid an average anesthesiologist salary of $91.55 per hour or $190,420 annually.

Location

California, Texas, New York, and Illinois have the highest employment levels in the country in May 2011. California employed the most anesthesiologists (5,030) and paid them an average of $106.73 per hour or $221,990 per year. Texas’s 3,330 anesthesiologists made an average of $110.19 per hour or $229,190 per year. New York’s 3,010 anesthesiologists made the most out of the four states: an average of $114.81 per hour or $238,810 per year. Illinois employed 1,800 anesthesiologists and paid them and average of $109.13 per hour or $226,990 per year.

Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for physicians is expected to increase by 24% by the year 2020.  While the 859,300 new jobs are not broken down by specific specialty, the demand for anesthesiologists will rise as well. With the Supreme Court’s ruling on ObamaCare in June 2012, more Americans will be covered under health insurance and will be eligible for different surgical and pain preventive/reduction treatments.

Duties

Anesthesiologists work with other physicians and surgeons, and sometimes CRNAs, to reduce or eliminate patient’s pain during operations. They administer anesthesia, monitor vital signs, and regulate the amount of anesthetic throughout the procedure. Before and after the medical procedure, they work with physicians and surgeons to recommend treatments and evaluate the patient. While commonly found in operating rooms, anesthesiologists also work in labor and delivery rooms, intensive care units, and with patients who have chronic pain issues.