Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners must earn at least a master’s degree in one of the APRN roles. They must also be licensed in their state and pass a national certification exam. PayThe median annual wage for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners was $134,920 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 36 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 32,200 openings for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners was $134,920 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 36 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 32,200 openings for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 36 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 32,200 openings for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare.
Work Environment
Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, physicians' offices, and clinics. Most advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) work full time.
How to Become a Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife, or Nurse Practitioner
Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners must earn at least a master’s degree in one of the APRN roles. They must also be licensed in their state and pass a national certification exam.
Pay
The median annual wage for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners was $134,920 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 36 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 32,200 openings for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, physicians' offices, and clinics. Most advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) work full time.
How to Become a Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife, or Nurse Practitioner
Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners must earn at least a master’s degree in one of the APRN roles. They must also be licensed in their state and pass a national certification exam.
Pay
The median annual wage for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners was $134,920 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 36 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 32,200 openings for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.