Nurse Anaesthetist Salary: Your 2025 Guide

Nurse anaesthetists are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) trained to administer anaesthesia used for pain management, who work with a range of medical professionals, from surgeons to anesthesiologists, dentists to other registered nurses. They may also work in various medical settings such as outpatient care centres, hospitals, emergency rooms, physicians’ offices, and military bases.

What does a nurse anaesthetist do?

A nurse anaesthetist administers anaesthesia or medicine that prevents pain or alleviates anxiety in individuals before they undergo a medical procedure, operation, or childbirth. Nurse anaesthetists also monitor patients' vital signs whilst under anaesthesia and after. You may also administer anaesthesia to manage and relieve chronic pain as part of a pain management plan. These advanced practice nurses also perform these tasks:

• Meet with a patient before their procedure to review all medical history, complete a physical assessment, and notify the patient of all risks associated with anaesthesia.

• Monitor a patient’s vitals both during and after a procedure or surgery. 

• Stay with a patient after a procedure to assist in recovery and monitor vitals and comfort level.

• Determine the dosage, method, and type of medication needed based on individual patients and length and type of procedure.

• Develop pain management strategies and plans.

Nurse anaesthetists may work with various medical professionals, from surgeons to anesthesiologists, dentists to other registered nurses. You may also work in various medical settings such as outpatient care centres, hospitals, emergency rooms, physicians’ offices, and military bases.

Sometimes, the duties of a nurse anaesthetist vary slightly depending on where you work. It’s also important to note that a nurse anaesthetist is a different role than an anaesthesiologist. An anesthesiologist is a physician who specialises in anaesthesia without a nursing background. 

How much do nurse anaesthetists earn?

A nurse anaesthetist in the United Kingdom can expect to earn a median salary of £34,307 a year. With additional pay, including bonuses, commission, tips, and profit sharing, the total average salary for a nurse anaesthetist could total £35,946 [1].

A nurse anaesthetist's earnings vary by employer, years of experience, location, and additional factors. Several factors impact how much a nurse anaesthetist makes, including your employment location, employer, job title, and any further training and certifications they may hold. 

How do I qualify to become a nurse anaesthetist?

To qualify as a nurse anaesthetist, you must meet the required educational criteria, training, licensure, and certification. Qualifications vary by location and employer. Discover the steps to becoming a nurse anaesthetist in the United Kingdom:

1. Become a registered nurse

Before becoming a nurse anaesthetist, you must become a registered nurse. You can complete your nursing degree at a university or by completing a registered nurse degree apprenticeship (RNDA). The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) must approve your degree programme.

2. Register with the NMC

After completing your nursing degree or apprenticeship, you must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The NMC requires you to recertify every three years and that you complete hours of professional work experience.

3. Compete a competency test

When you register with the NMC, you will complete a competency test. You will complete your registration upon approval, which the NMC will review. 

4. Gain experience and apply to a nurse anaesthetist programme

 After you gain professional experience working as a registered nurse, you may apply to a postgraduate programme to become a nurse anaesthetist. One of the postgraduate diplomas you may explore is the Anaesthesia Associate Postgraduate Diploma, which takes 27 months to complete. 

Do I need a licence? 

Yes, to become a nurse anaesthetist you must first be a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Following your registration with the NMC, you may gain professional experience working as a nurse in hospitals or medical centres. 

After you begin your career as a registered nurse, you may apply to and study for programmes specialising in anaesthetics. 

Nurse anaesthetist salary levels

Your location, employer, and job title are all factors that will impact your salary level as a nurse anaesthetist. Other factors include years of experience and any specialisations you may hold. 

Location and salary

Where you live may impact your earning potential as a nurse anaesthetist. For example, a nurse anaesthetist working in London may earn more on average than one working in Manchester, according to data from Glassdoor as of January 2025.

Explore the average salaries for nurse anaesthetists in popular cities in the UK:

• London: £34,288 [2]

• Manchester: £33,064 [3]

• Leeds: £33,360 [4]

• Belfast: £34,801 [5]

• Glasgow: £33,662 [6]

Organisation and salary

The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK employs the most anaesthetics roles. However, you may also find a career as a nurse anaesthetist in hospitals or other medical facilities.

Job title variations and salary

Your job title as a nurse anaesthetist may vary based on your certifications, where you work, your years of experience, and more. Some nurse anaesthetists may work in managerial roles, whilst some may find themselves in education as professors. Others may work with a specific type of health care provider. These variations may impact your earnings. 

You may see some of these common job title variations: Associate anaesthetist Average annual UK salary (Glassdoor): £61,470 [7]

Associate anaesthetists work with an anaesthetics team to administer anaesthesia before a surgical procedure. To become an associate anaesthetist, you must have a medical degree or have registered as a health professional in the United Kingdom.

Chief nurse anaesthetist Average annual UK salary (Glassdoor): £34,307 [8] Chief nurse anaesthetists manage other nurse anaesthetists in addition to their own clinical duties. In this job, you will also work closely with patients to meet their needs. 

Faculty professor Average annual UK salary (Glassdoor): £71,887 [9] A faculty professor or assistant professor is an educator at a university, who teaches courses as part of a nurse anaesthetist graduate degree programme. Your salary may vary in this position based on your degrees, certifications, years of professional experience, and the school at which you work. 

Getting started as a nurse anaesthetist on Coursera

Nurse anaesthetists enjoy high regard throughout the nursing field, with a career path that pays well and has opportunities for advancement within the medical field. When you’re ready to plan your next steps to becoming a nurse anaesthetist, consider enrolling in a course like Introductory Human Physiology or Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us, both offered on Coursera. Introductory courses like these can help supplement your learning as a nursing learner and give you insight into the profession early on so you can better plan your next steps.