What to Pay a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Boston, MA (2026)
How to set your CRNA pay range in Boston
Three pay positions, modeled against current Boston market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
CRNA salary percentile distribution in Boston, MA
Where the Boston market actually sits for CRNA base pay.
Most Boston employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($252,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $228,000 and a max of $285,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Massachusetts pay transparency compliance for CRNA job postings
What you must post when hiring a CRNA in Massachusetts.
| Requirement | Applies When | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Pay range in job posting | 25+ employees; role in MA | Civil fine up to $500 first violation; up to $1,000 subsequent |
| Provide pay range to applicants on request | All covered employers | Same schedule |
For a CRNA role in Boston, a compliant good-faith range looks like $228,000 to $285,000. A compliant range for this role in Boston is $228,000–$285,000.
Top CRNA employers in Boston — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring CRNAs in the Boston metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass General Brigham | Academic medical center (ACT) | $248K–$302K | Common ($20K–$35K) |
| Beth Israel Lahey Health | Health system | $245K–$298K | Very common ($25K–$42K) |
| Tufts Medicine | Academic medical center | $242K–$295K | Common ($20K–$35K) |
| Boston Children's (peds anesthesia) | Pediatric specialty | $248K–$302K | Common ($20K–$35K) |
| Independent anesthesia groups | Physician-led ACT | $262K–$322K | Production-based |
CRNA talent supply and hiring difficulty in Boston
How hard is it to fill a CRNA role in Boston.
Boston CRNA market driven by MGH, BWH (ACT models). Cardiac and pediatric anesthesia command premium.
Skill premiums CRNA candidates command in Boston, MA
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiac anesthesia (BWH) | +10–15% | Very high |
| Pediatric anesthesia (Boston Children's) | +10–15% | Very high |
| Regional anesthesia / blocks | +8–12% | Very high |
| Transplant anesthesia | +9–13% | High |
CRNA total compensation in Boston — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for CRNAs in Boston. "Prevalence" reflects share of Boston disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Boston Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $252,000 (median) | 100% |
| Call pay (standby + callback) | $10–$16/hr standby + 2–3× hourly | ~95% |
| Sign-on bonus | $20,000–$42,000 | ~82% |
| Loan repayment | $25K–$55K total | ~50% |
| Production bonus | $20K–$55K | ~42% (independent groups) |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$302K–$362K | — |
Shift differentials and sign-on bonuses are typically table stakes rather than differentiators. Tuition reimbursement for LPN-to-RN bridge programs is increasingly the lever that wins competitive offers, particularly for early-career candidates.
CRNA pay by setting in Boston — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the CRNA range splits by employer type in the Boston metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital OR (ACT model) | $248,000 | $225K–$285K | Very high |
| Hospital OR (CRNA-only — BILH) | $255,000 | $232K–$295K | Very high |
| Ambulatory surgery center | $232,000 | $212K–$268K | Very high |
| Pain management clinic | $238,000 | $215K–$275K | Tight |
| Independent practice | $275,000 | $248K–$315K | Very tight |
CRNA salary in Boston vs. other Massachusetts and nearby metros
What you'd pay if you hired in a nearby metro instead.
| Location | Median Base | vs. Boston | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston–Cambridge–Nashua, MA-NH | $252,000 | — | Tight |
| New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $248,000 | −1.6% | Very tight |
| Providence–Warwick, RI-MA | $228,000 | −9.5% | Above national avg |
| Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV | $238,000 | −5.6% | Tight |
| Massachusetts statewide | $242,000 | −4.0% | — |
| U.S. national | $220,000 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Boston, MA
Related CRNA pay benchmarks — Massachusetts metros and nearby nursing roles
One page. One job. One city.
If you're modeling pay ranges across hundreds of roles and dozens of locations, doing this manually is the merit-cycle scramble that ate your last quarter. BetterComp keeps your full range structure current against live market data — without the survey lag.
See how it works →
Data refreshed May 15, 2026. Next scheduled update: August 15, 2026.
© 2026 BetterComp. Market data informational only — not legal advice.