John BlessingNurse anesthetists, also known as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), are among the highest-paid nursing professionals in the United States. In Texas, these advanced practice providers earn a median annual salary of $244,990, which is approximately 4% higher than the national median of $236,590. The demand for CRNAs remains strong across the state, with salaries varying significantly by location, practice setting, and experience level.
Major metropolitan areas like San Antonio and Houston offer the highest compensation, while smaller cities and rural areas also provide competitive salaries that often stretch further due to lower living costs. This comprehensive guide covers the top 20 nurse anesthetist salaries in Texas by city, drawing on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Salary.com, and other authoritative sources.
TOP 20 NURSE ANESTHETIST SALARIES IN TEXAS
1. San Antonio – $262,560
San Antonio offers the highest average salary for nurse anesthetists in Texas, with an average annual pay of $262,560. Approximately 160 CRNAs are currently employed in the area, reflecting the city’s robust healthcare infrastructure, which includes major military medical facilities and numerous hospitals.
The combination of high demand and relatively lower cost of living compared to other major Texas cities makes San Antonio an attractive destination for CRNAs seeking to maximize their earning potential.
2. Emerald Bay – $188,771
Emerald Bay tops the list of highest-paying cities for CRNAs in Texas according to ZipRecruiter data, with an average annual salary of $188,771. This small community offers a significantly higher salary than the state average, making it an outlier in the Texas market. While the cost of living and limited job opportunities may be considerations, the salary premium is substantial.
3. Oyster Creek – $182,951
Oyster Creek ranks second among ZipRecruiter’s highest-paying cities for CRNAs, with an average annual salary of $182,951. This small coastal community offers a competitive salary that exceeds the state average by a considerable margin.
4. LaCoste – $173,117
LaCoste offers an average annual salary of $173,117 for nurse anesthetists, placing it among the top-paying locations in Texas. The city’s proximity to San Antonio may contribute to the competitive compensation, as CRNAs can access the larger healthcare market while enjoying a smaller community setting.
5. Odessa – $262,065
Odessa ranks among the highest-paying cities for CRNAs in Texas, with an average annual salary of $262,065. The city’s booming energy sector and growing healthcare infrastructure have driven demand for advanced practice providers, resulting in highly competitive compensation packages.
6. Austin – $257,363
Austin offers an average annual salary of $257,363 for nurse anesthetists. The city’s rapid growth, thriving healthcare sector, and status as a major technology hub have contributed to strong demand for CRNAs. The relatively high cost of living in Austin is offset by the competitive salaries available.
7. Midland – $254,977
Midland ranks among the top-paying cities for CRNAs, with an average annual salary of $254,977. Like Odessa, Midland’s energy-driven economy and growing population have fueled demand for healthcare services, including anesthesia providers.
8. Wichita Falls – $252,791
Wichita Falls offers an average annual salary of $252,791 for CRNAs. This north Texas city provides a competitive salary with a significantly lower cost of living than major metropolitan areas, making it an attractive option for those seeking to maximize their disposable income.
9. Harlingen – $252,613
Harlingen, located in the Rio Grande Valley, offers an average annual salary of $252,613 for nurse anesthetists. The city’s growing healthcare sector and proximity to the Mexico border have created steady demand for CRNAs.
10. Abilene – $251,413
Abilene offers an average annual salary of $251,413 for CRNAs. This west Texas city provides a competitive salary with a lower cost of living, making it an appealing choice for nurse anesthetists seeking a balance between compensation and affordability.
11. Garland – $250,923
Garland, a suburb of Dallas, offers an average annual salary of $250,923 for nurse anesthetists. The city’s proximity to Dallas’s major healthcare systems provides access to a wide range of employment opportunities.
12. Corpus Christi – $250,866
Corpus Christi offers an average annual salary of $250,866 for CRNAs. The coastal city’s growing healthcare infrastructure and tourism-driven economy contribute to steady demand for anesthesia providers.
13. Carrollton – $250,688
Carrollton, another Dallas suburb, offers an average annual salary of $250,688 for nurse anesthetists. The city’s location within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex provides access to numerous hospitals and surgical centers.
14. The Woodlands – $203,990
The Woodlands offers an average annual salary of $203,990 for CRNAs, with approximately 1,380 nurse anesthetists employed in the area. This planned community north of Houston has a growing healthcare sector anchored by major medical facilities.
15. Houston – $203,990
Houston, the largest city in Texas, offers an average annual salary of $203,990 for nurse anesthetists. The city’s massive healthcare industry, including the Texas Medical Center—the largest medical complex in the world—provides extensive employment opportunities for CRNAs. Houston has approximately 1,380 employed nurse anesthetists, making it one of the largest markets in the state.
16. Fort Worth-Arlington – $198,250
The Fort Worth-Arlington metro area offers an average annual salary of $198,250 for CRNAs. This growing region has a strong healthcare sector with numerous hospitals and surgical centers serving the western portion of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
17. Dallas – $198,250
Dallas offers an average annual salary of $198,250 for nurse anesthetists. The city’s extensive healthcare infrastructure, including major hospital systems and specialty surgical centers, provides diverse employment opportunities for CRNAs.
18. Longview – $178,390
Longview offers an average annual salary of $178,390 for CRNAs. This east Texas city has a growing healthcare sector, and the relatively lower cost of living makes the salary competitive in terms of purchasing power.
19. Lufkin – $315,000 – $327,000
Lufkin offers one of the highest advertised salaries for CRNAs in Texas, with a 1099 compensation package ranging from $315,000 to $327,000. This east Texas city provides a lucrative opportunity for independent contractors, though the 1099 structure means the CRNA is responsible for their own benefits and taxes.
20. Klein – $200,000 – $270,000
Klein, a community in the Houston area, offers a salary range of $200,000 to $270,000 for CRNAs. The area’s proximity to Houston’s major medical facilities provides access to a wide range of employment opportunities while maintaining a suburban setting.
COMPARISON TABLE
| Rank | City / Area | Average Annual Salary | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Antonio | $262,560 | Highest average in Texas; 160 CRNAs employed |
| 2 | Emerald Bay | $188,771 | Top ZipRecruiter location; small community |
| 3 | Oyster Creek | $182,951 | Second ZipRecruiter location |
| 4 | LaCoste | $173,117 | Near San Antonio; competitive salary |
| 5 | Odessa | $262,065 | Energy sector drives demand |
| 6 | Austin | $257,363 | Growing healthcare sector; major tech hub |
| 7 | Midland | $254,977 | Energy-driven economy |
| 8 | Wichita Falls | $252,791 | Lower cost of living |
| 9 | Harlingen | $252,613 | Rio Grande Valley; growing healthcare sector |
| 10 | Abilene | $251,413 | West Texas; relatively affordable living |
| 11 | Garland | $250,923 | Dallas suburb; access to the wider Metroplex |
| 12 | Corpus Christi | $250,866 | Coastal city; growing infrastructure |
| 13 | Carrollton | $250,688 | Dallas suburb; numerous healthcare facilities |
| 14 | The Woodlands | $203,990 | 1,380 CRNAs employed; Houston area |
| 15 | Houston | $203,990 | Texas Medical Center; 1,380 CRNAs |
| 16 | Fort Worth–Arlington | $198,250 | Growing healthcare sector |
| 17 | Dallas | $198,250 | Extensive hospital systems |
| 18 | Longview | $178,390 | East Texas; lower cost of living |
| 19 | Lufkin | $315,000–$327,000 | Reported 1099 contractor rate; sign-on bonus |
| 20 | Klein | $200,000–$270,000 | Houston suburb; wide salary range |
TIPS FOR UNDERSTANDING CRNA SALARIES IN TEXAS
Location Matters Significantly: Salaries for nurse anesthetists in Texas vary by as much as $100,000 or more depending on the city. Major metropolitan areas like San Antonio, Odessa, and Austin offer the highest compensation, while smaller cities and rural areas may offer lower salaries but often with a lower cost of living.
Practice Setting Affects Pay: CRNAs working in hospital settings, surgical centers, and pain management clinics may earn different salaries. Independent contractor (1099) positions, like the one in Lufkin, often advertise higher rates but require the CRNA to cover their own benefits, taxes, and malpractice insurance.
Experience and Certifications: Salaries increase with experience and additional certifications. New graduates typically start at the lower end of the range, while experienced CRNAs with specialized skills can command significantly higher compensation.
Cost of Living Considerations: A high salary in a city with a high cost of living may not provide the same purchasing power as a moderate salary in a more affordable area. Cities like Wichita Falls, Abilene, and Longview offer competitive salaries with lower living costs, potentially resulting in greater disposable income.
Data Sources Vary: Different sources report different salary figures. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median of $244,990 for Texas CRNAs, while ZipRecruiter reports an average of $241,958 for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and $129,211 for the broader “Nurse Anesthetist” category. Always consider the source and methodology when comparing salaries.
CONCLUSION
Texas offers a strong market for nurse anesthetists, with competitive salaries that rank above the national average. San Antonio leads the state with an average salary of $262,560, followed by Odessa, Austin, and Midland, all of which offer compensation exceeding $250,000. The Woodlands and Houston provide the largest employment markets, with approximately 1,380 CRNAs each.
For those willing to work as independent contractors, Lufkin offers one of the highest advertised rates in the state at $315,000 to $327,000. Whether you’re a new graduate or an experienced CRNA, Texas provides diverse opportunities across metropolitan and rural settings, allowing you to choose a location that balances compensation, cost of living, and lifestyle preferences.