CRNA jobs in Bakersfield, CA
Pay for CRNAs in California centers on $115+ per hour, or about $239,200+ a year. The lower quarter earns under $48.61 and the upper quarter over $115+. That is 7% above the U.S. median of $107.31 per hour. The CMS hospital directory lists 6 hospitals in Bakersfield. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Bakersfield.
- $115+median pay per hour, California
- $49–$115+typical range per hour
- 101cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
CRNA pay in Bakersfield, CA
Nationally the median is $107.31 per hour. BLS counts about 2,270 nurse anesthetists employed in California.
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $28.84 | $59,990 | 73% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $48.61 | $101,110 | 55% below U.S. median |
| Median | $115+ | $239,200+ | 7% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $115+ | $239,200+ | 7% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $115+ | $239,200+ | 7% above U.S. median |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Nurse Anesthetists (SOC 29-1151), all industries. Figures marked $115+ are the BLS top-coded maximum. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Bakersfield
- Overall prices in Bakersfield-Delano run 1% above the U.S. average (index 100.9, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 10% below the U.S. average (index 90.3).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Bakersfield CRNA pay report
Named employers near Bakersfield, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportTravel assignment per diem in Bakersfield
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $132 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $74 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,442 |
| 13-week assignment | $18,746 |
Travel CRNA assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free. Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Hospitals in Bakersfield
CMS lists 6 hospitals in Bakersfield, 0 of the 4 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of CRNAs.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Bakersfield, CA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Mercy Hospital Bakersfield, CA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Adventist Health Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 2 of 5 | Yes |
| Kern Medical Center Bakersfield, CA | Acute care | Government and federal | 1 of 5 | Yes |
| Good Samaritan Hospital, Lp Bakersfield, CA | Acute care | For-profit | Not rated | No |
| Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, Llc Bakersfield, CA | Psychiatric | For-profit | Not rated | No |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Primary care shortage areas in Kern County
HRSA lists 29 active primary care shortage designations that include Kern County (7 geographic, 2 population-group, 20 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 21 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.
Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.
Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.
CRNA pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delano, CA | 31 mi | $115+/hr | 53,198 |
| Porterville, CA | 49 mi | $115+/hr | 63,517 |
| Tulare, CA | 61 mi | $115+/hr | 72,601 |
| Lancaster, CA | 67 mi | $115+/hr | 167,426 |
| Visalia, CA | 69 mi | $115+/hr | 146,271 |
| Santa Clarita, CA | 72 mi | $115+/hr | 229,159 |
License and tax basics in California
California is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact as of October 15, 2026, so a nurse licensed elsewhere applies to the California board for a license by endorsement before working here.
California taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Bakersfield
Bakersfield city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do CRNAs make in Bakersfield, CA?
CRNAs in California have a median pay of $115+ per hour, about $239,200+ a year. The middle half earn between $48.61 and $115+ per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Where do CRNAs work in Bakersfield?
CMS lists 6 hospitals in Bakersfield, led by Bakersfield Memorial Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a California license to work in Bakersfield as a CRNA?
California is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact as of October 15, 2026, so a nurse licensed elsewhere applies to the California board for a license by endorsement before working here. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Is Bakersfield in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 29 active primary care shortage designations that include Kern County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Bakersfield?
The federal per diem benchmark in Bakersfield is $132 a night for lodging and $74 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,442 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place CRNAs in Bakersfield?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Bakersfield and across California. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Bakersfield.
What do employers near Bakersfield pay CRNAs? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
230+ CRNA roles in California, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your CRNA pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your California list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Essentia HealthDuluth, MN · 4 postings$173.59/ hr$142–$200
- MercyWisconsin · 3 postings$152.50/ hr$88–$200
- NewYork-PresbyterianNew York · 7 postings$145.43/ hr$130–$161
- Mass General BrighamSalem, MA · 26 postings$140.62/ hr$67–$200
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your California list
2What they are offering now
106 CRNA postings with published pay in the US, 69 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open CRNA roles
Open CRNA roles near Bakersfield, CA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.