What is a CRNA Salary in the UK?

If you have searched for “crna salary” expecting to find a standard UK pay figure, you may be surprised to learn that the term CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) is an American professional title. In the United Kingdom, the roles that deliver anaesthetic care are known as anaesthetic nurses, operating department practitioners (ODPs) and, for medical staff, anaesthetists (consultants or specialty doctors). There is no single UK salary labelled “CRNA”. Instead, pay is determined by the NHS Agenda for Change pay bands, which cover all nursing and allied health professional roles.

This guide uses the latest official data – including the 2026/27 NHS pay scales and the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings – to give you a realistic picture of what an anaesthetic nurse or ODP can expect to earn, both per hour and per year.

NHS Pay Bands for Anaesthetic Roles (2026/27)

The NHS Employers website has published the 2026/27 pay scales, effective from 1 April 2026. The bands most relevant to anaesthetic nursing and ODPs are band 5 (newly qualified or entry level), band 6 (experienced practitioner) and band 7 (advanced practitioner, team leader or specialist).

Band 5 (Entry Level)

• Entry point: £16.40 per hour
• Top point: £19.97 per hour
• Annual equivalent (37.5 hrs × 52 weeks): £31,980 to £38,942

Band 6 (Experienced Practitioner)

• Entry point: £20.44 per hour
• Top point: £24.61 per hour
• Annual equivalent: £39,858 to £47,990

Band 7 (Advanced / Specialist)

• Entry point: £25.26 per hour
• Top point: £28.90 per hour
• Annual equivalent: £49,257 to £56,355

These rates are for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (37.5-hour week). Scotland uses a 37-hour week and has slightly different rates, but the bands are similar.

How to Convert Hourly Rates to Annual Salary

To convert an NHS hourly rate to a full-time annual salary, use this formula:

Annual ≈ hourly rate × contracted hours per week × 52 weeks

For example, a band 6 nurse earning £20.44/hr and working 37.5 hours/week would earn: £20.44 × 37.5 × 52 = £39,858 per year.

If you work part-time, simply replace 37.5 with your actual contracted hours. Remember that this assumes a steady rota with no unpaid overtime, and it does not include London weighting, shift allowances or overtime premiums.

You can use our Hourly to Salary calculator to try different hours and rates.

London Weighting and High Cost Area Supplements

NHS staff in and around London receive an extra payment known as the High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS). The rates for 2026/27 are:

• Inner London: +20% (min £5,794, max £8,746 per year)
• Outer London: +15% (min £4,870, max £6,137)
• Fringe zone: +5% (min £1,346, max £2,270)

This supplement is added to your basic pay and is not included in the standard hourly rates above. It can make a significant difference – for example, a band 6 nurse in inner London could see their annual pay rise by over £8,000.

Overtime Pay for Anaesthetic Nurses

According to the Royal College of Nursing, NHS staff in bands 1–7 are entitled to overtime when they work beyond their contracted hours. The rates are:

• 1.5× standard hourly rate for overtime (Monday to Saturday)
• 2× standard hourly rate for bank holidays

Part-time staff receive standard time for additional hours up to the full-time threshold (37.5 hours), then overtime rates beyond that. Overtime is calculated on basic pay only, not including HCAS.

How Does a UK Anaesthetic Nurse Salary Compare to UK Median Earnings?

The ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for April 2025 reported median gross annual earnings for full-time employees at £39,039. A band 6 anaesthetic nurse at the entry point (£39,858) sits just above this median, while a band 7 advanced practitioner (£49,257+) is well above. This reflects the specialist training and responsibility involved.

For more context on UK pay benchmarks, see our salary data page.

Important Caveats

• The term “crna salary” does not exist in UK pay reporting. The figures here are for NHS anaesthetic nurses and ODPs on Agenda for Change contracts.
• Private sector salaries may differ – some independent hospitals pay higher basic rates but may offer less generous pensions or overtime.
• Annual conversions assume 52 weeks of work. In practice, NHS staff receive paid annual leave and bank holidays, so the weekly rate is consistent.
• Always check your contract and the latest GOV.UK National Minimum Wage rates.

Summary

While there is no official UK CRNA salary, anaesthetic nurses and ODPs in the NHS earn competitive pay through Agenda for Change. At band 6, the hourly rate starts at £20.44, giving an annual salary of nearly £40,000. With London weighting, overtime and progression to band 7, earnings can exceed £55,000. For anyone considering a career in anaesthetic care in the UK, these figures provide a realistic starting point.

For more articles on UK pay and conversions, visit our salary articles or topics page.