The role of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in the UK is both highly specialized and deeply rewarding. As healthcare systems continue to prioritize patient safety and advanced anesthesia care, the demand for skilled CRNAs is steadily growing. From top-tier hospitals in London to specialized surgical centers in Manchester and Edinburgh, employers are actively seeking highly trained professionals, offering competitive salaries and significant opportunities for career advancement in this vital healthcare profession.
It’s worth noting that “CRNA” (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) is a US credential — there’s no direct equivalent job title within the NHS. The closest UK role is an Anaesthesia Associate, who works under the supervision of a consultant anaesthetist. Anaesthesia Associates are paid on NHS Agenda for Change bands — typically Band 7 (£43,742–£50,056), rising to Band 8a (£50,952–£57,349) with experience — notably higher than the Glassdoor-reported figures below, which likely reflect earlier-career advanced nurse practitioner roles rather than fully qualified Anaesthesia Associates.
CRNA salary
Base pay £28K – £42Kyr
£34K/yr average base pay
The estimated total pay for a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Crna is £35,940 per year, with an average salary of £34,299 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated additional pay is £1,641 per year. Additional pay could include cash bonus, commission, tips, and profit sharing.
The “Most Likely Range” reflects values within the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data available for this role. Glassdoor salaries are powered by our proprietary machine learning model, which utilises salaries collected from our users and the latest government data to make pay predictions.
CRNA Salary by Experience Level
| Entry-level | Average | Senior / Top |
| £28K | £34K | £42K |
In the UK, this career path runs through advanced nurse practitioner training in anaesthesia rather than the standalone US-style CRNA route, so pay tracks NHS Agenda for Change bands (typically 7 to 8a) plus any private theatre sessions. Senior earners are almost always those combining an NHS base salary with locum or private anaesthesia support shifts. Years of critical care nursing experience before starting the advanced training is usually a prerequisite, which explains part of the entry-to-senior gap.
Highest Paying Location for CRNA in the UK
Exeter £27,644 per year
5 salaries reported
CRNA is one step on a longer ladder — see how far it can go with our Anesthesiologist salary guide, or use Debut’s Paycheck Calculator to see what this salary looks like after tax.
