Side by side
| CRNA | Anesthesiologist | |
|---|---|---|
| Profession | Advanced practice registered nurse | Physician (M.D. or D.O.) |
| Route | RN, critical care, nurse anesthesia program | Bachelor's, medical school, residency |
| After college | At least 1 year of critical care, then a doctoral program of at least 36 months | 4 years of medical school, then residency |
| National exam | NCE | Medical licensing exams |
| Median pay (BLS, May 2025) | $236,590 | $391,490 |
| Median hourly | $113.75 | $188.22 |
| Employed in the U.S. | 51,840 | 38,760 |
| Projected growth, 2025–35 | 9.7% | 3.6% |
| Typical entry education (BLS) | Master's degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
Who earns more in your state
How the training differs
A CRNA builds on nursing experience, with at least a year in critical care before anesthesia training. An anesthesiologist goes through medical school and then an anesthesiology residency. The BLS puts internship and residency across specialties at 3 to 9 years.
How they work together
CRNAs and anesthesiologists often work in the same operating rooms, and the arrangement between them varies by state and facility. State rules decide what supervision is required.
Pay and growth
The median CRNA earns $236,590, and the median anesthesiologist $391,490. Projected growth from 2025 to 2035 is 9.7% for CRNAs and 3.6% for anesthesiologists.
Questions people ask
Who makes more, a CRNA or an anesthesiologist?
Anesthesiologists. The national medians were $391,490 and $236,590 in May 2025.
Is a CRNA a doctor?
No. CRNAs are advanced practice nurses. All U.S. programs now award a doctoral degree, but CRNAs are not physicians.
Which job is growing faster?
CRNAs, according to the BLS: 9.7% against 3.6% for anesthesiologists from 2025 to 2035.
Sources
General information, not career advice. Scope of practice and licensing differ by state: confirm them with your state board.