How to become nurse anesthetistseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Healthcare Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$236,590
25th–75th pct. $206,730–$294,350
Top pay (est.)
$441,400
Top 10% $339,500
Pay in 5 years
$280,300est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$332,100est.
$285,600–$385,600
Outlook score
72/100
★★★★☆ Good
AI replacement risk
28%
Low
Job growth (10 yr)
+9.7%
2,400 openings / yr

How to become nurse anesthetists

Typical education
Master's degree
BLS
Related experience
None
On-the-job training
None

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Nurse Anesthetists

Key skills

Complex Problem Solving
4.2
Reading Comprehension
4.2
Judgment and Decision Making
4.1
Service Orientation
4.0
Speaking
4.0
Critical Thinking
4.0
Active Learning
4.0
Active Listening
4.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Medicine and Dentistry
6.2
Customer and Personal Service
6.0
Education and Training
5.3
Psychology
5.3
Biology
5.0
English Language
4.9
Chemistry
4.9
Mathematics
4.9

What the work involves

Assisting and Caring for OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsProcessing InformationDocumenting/Recording Information

Important abilities

Oral ComprehensionProblem SensitivityWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionInductive ReasoningDeductive Reasoning

Education of workers

Doctoral degree
56%
Master's degree
41%
Professional degree
4%

Training before entry

Up to 1 month
44%
None / short demo
26%
1–3 months
7%
4–10 years
7%
1–2 years
4%
2–4 years
4%
6–12 months
4%
3–6 months
4%

Related work experience

2–4 years
37%
1–2 years
30%
None
19%
4–6 years
7%
6–8 years
7%

Job Zone 5 — extensive preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★★☆ Demanding (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as nurse anesthetists

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.