What to Pay a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Houston, TX (2026)
How to set your CRNA pay range in Houston
Three pay positions, modeled against current Houston market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
CRNA salary percentile distribution in Houston, TX
Where the Houston market actually sits for CRNA base pay.
Most Houston employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($235,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $210,000 and a max of $268,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Texas pay transparency compliance for CRNA job postings
What you must post when hiring a CRNA in Texas.
For a CRNA role in Houston, a compliant good-faith range looks like $210,000 to $268,000. No statutory requirement applies, but if you disclose voluntarily, post a good-faith range of $210,000–$268,000 rather than a single number — it screens out misaligned candidates and reduces offer-stage fallout.
Top CRNA employers in Houston — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring CRNAs in the Houston metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Methodist | Academic medical center | $230K–$282K | Very common ($25K–$45K) |
| Memorial Hermann | Health system | $228K–$278K | Very common ($25K–$42K) |
| MD Anderson (oncology) | Specialty academic | $238K–$290K | Common ($20K–$35K) |
| Texas Children's Hospital (peds anesthesia) | Pediatric specialty | $232K–$282K | Common ($20K–$35K) |
| Independent anesthesia groups | Physician-led groups | $248K–$308K | Production-based |
CRNA talent supply and hiring difficulty in Houston
How hard is it to fill a CRNA role in Houston.
Skill premiums CRNA candidates command in Houston, TX
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiac anesthesia (Methodist) | +10–15% | Very high |
| Oncology / transplant anesthesia (MD Anderson) | +10–15% | Very high |
| Pediatric anesthesia (Texas Children's) | +10–15% | Very high |
| Regional anesthesia / blocks | +8–12% | Very high |
CRNA total compensation in Houston — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for CRNAs in Houston. "Prevalence" reflects share of Houston disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Houston Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $235,000 (median) | 100% |
| Call pay (standby + callback) | $10–$16/hr standby + 2–3× hourly | ~95% |
| Sign-on bonus | $25,000–$45,000 | ~84% |
| Loan repayment | $25K–$55K total | ~48% |
| Production bonus | $20K–$55K | ~42% (independent groups) |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$285K–$345K | — |
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 Houston — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the CRNA range splits by employer type in the Houston metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital OR (ACT model) | $232,000 | $212K–$268K | Very high |
| Hospital OR (CRNA-only) | $240,000 | $218K–$278K | Very high |
| Oncology anesthesia (MD Anderson) | $248,000 | $225K–$285K | Very high |
| Pediatric anesthesia (TCH) | $245,000 | $222K–$282K | Very high |
| Independent practice | $262,000 | $238K–$300K | Very tight |
CRNA salary in Houston vs. other Texas and nearby metros
What you'd pay if you hired in a nearby metro instead.
| Location | Median Base | vs. Houston | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land, TX | $235,000 | — | Tight |
| Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX | $232,000 | −1.3% | Tight |
| Austin–Round Rock, TX | $235,000 | 0.0% | Tight |
| San Antonio, TX | $218,000 | −7.2% | Tight |
| Texas statewide | $220,000 | −6.4% | — |
| U.S. national | $220,000 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Houston, TX
Related CRNA pay benchmarks — Texas metros and nearby nursing roles
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Data refreshed May 15, 2026. Next scheduled update: August 15, 2026.
© 2026 BetterComp. Market data informational only — not legal advice.