Where you practice shapes how easy it is to run your own group. Three things matter most: what employers already pay (the bar a group has to beat), whether the state has opted out of the Medicare supervision rule, and how many CRNA-led groups already bill there.
Hover a state for details. Opt-out removes the Medicare supervision requirement for hospitals and surgery centers; state law and facility bylaws still apply.
How to read the table
- Mean CRNA pay is what employed CRNAs earn on average (BLS, May 2025). It's the figure your own group's income has to beat to be worth the risk.
- Medicare supervision shows whether the governor has opted the state out of the Medicare physician-supervision requirement. Groups can work in states that haven't opted out too, with supervision arrangements.
- CRNA-led groups counts groups where CRNAs reassign their Medicare payments to a CRNA-led practice (our analysis of CMS data). More groups usually means facilities are used to contracting with them.
| State | Mean CRNA pay (W-2, BLS) | Medicare supervision | CRNA-led groups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $189,120 | Not opted out | 60 |
| Alaska | $311,110 | Opted out (Oct 2003) | 3 |
| Arizona | $256,610 | Opted out (Mar 2020) | 53 |
| Arkansas | $198,540 | Opted out (May 2022) | 66 |
| California | $283,780 | Opted out (Jul 2009) | 176 |
| Colorado | Not published | Opted out (Sep 2010 CAH/rural only; full opt-out Oct 2023) | 42 |
| Connecticut | $225,810 | Not opted out | 1 |
| Delaware | Not published | Opted out (Jun 2023) | 8 |
| District of Columbia | Not published | Opted out (Sep 2026; all hospitals) | 12 |
| Florida | $239,830 | Not opted out | 132 |
| Georgia | $226,330 | Not opted out | 95 |
| Hawaii | Not published | Not opted out | 9 |
| Idaho | $265,850 | Opted out (Mar 2002) | 53 |
| Illinois | $251,600 | Not opted out | 35 |
| Indiana | Not published | Not opted out | 32 |
| Iowa | $253,510 | Opted out (Dec 2001) | 20 |
| Kansas | $206,320 | Opted out (Mar 2003) | 49 |
| Kentucky | $229,690 | Opted out (Apr 2012) | 34 |
| Louisiana | $243,240 | Not opted out | 46 |
| Maine | $259,370 | Not opted out | 6 |
| Maryland | $218,050 | Not opted out | 29 |
| Massachusetts | $303,310 | Opted out (Jun 2024) | 4 |
| Michigan | $253,760 | Opted out (May 2022) | 84 |
| Minnesota | $259,210 | Opted out (Apr 2002) | 26 |
| Mississippi | $217,470 | Not opted out | 33 |
| Missouri | $271,780 | Not opted out | 36 |
| Montana | $270,330 | Opted out (Jan 2004; briefly reversed May 2005, restored Jun 2005) | 8 |
| Nebraska | $255,610 | Opted out (Feb 2002) | 22 |
| Nevada | Not published | Not opted out | 13 |
| New Hampshire | $277,740 | Opted out (Jun 2002) | 8 |
| New Jersey | $290,920 | Not opted out | 2 |
| New Mexico | $149,980 | Opted out (Nov 2002) | 11 |
| New York | $285,020 | Not opted out | 12 |
| North Carolina | $226,780 | Not opted out | 67 |
| North Dakota | $248,580 | Opted out (Oct 2003) | 9 |
| Ohio | $236,830 | Opted out (Jul 2026) | 62 |
| Oklahoma | $190,820 | Opted out (Aug 2020) | 43 |
| Oregon | $280,010 | Opted out (Dec 2003) | 28 |
| Pennsylvania | $233,320 | Not opted out | 45 |
| Rhode Island | Not published | Not opted out | 1 |
| South Carolina | $276,380 | Not opted out | 30 |
| South Dakota | $249,720 | Opted out (Mar 2005) | 11 |
| Tennessee | $218,870 | Not opted out | 80 |
| Texas | $255,820 | Not opted out | 193 |
| Utah | $139,750 | Partial | 20 |
| Vermont | $289,870 | Opted out (Jul 2026) | 2 |
| Virginia | $254,820 | Not opted out | 27 |
| Washington | $273,760 | Opted out (Oct 2003) | 30 |
| West Virginia | $275,100 | Not opted out | 7 |
| Wisconsin | $272,470 | Opted out (Jun 2005) | 27 |
| Wyoming | $260,650 | Partial | 11 |
See our guide to the states where CRNAs can practise without physician supervision, and the billing rules for each state in anesthesia billing by state.
Run your own numbers. The should I start my own CRNA group? calculator compares your W-2 pay with owning a group, and the startup cash calculator shows how much you need to cover the wait for your first payments.
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Talk to a healthcare attorney and an accountant before you form a company.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Nurse Anesthetists, May 2025
- CMS: Medicare CRNA supervision opt-out states