What CAAs Actually Earn (2026 Salary Guide)

Last reviewed August 12, 2026 · Sourced from verified job postings, program disclosures, and reported market data.

In 2026, advertised base salaries for full-time Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants average around $250,000 per year. You wouldn't know it from a quick Google search: government labor databases don't track CAAs separately from physician assistants, so search results often show numbers that are far too low. The figures below come from actual job postings and program disclosures.

Compensation Overview

Category	Typical Amount	Description
Advertised base salary (average)	$250,600	Full-time W-2 base pay across active postings (BagMask Q2 2026), excluding bonuses and overtime.
Advertised base salary (median)	$245,000	Midpoint base pay across all advertised full-time positions.
Advertised salary range	$180,000 – $425,000	Lowest regional entry base to top-tier experienced positions in high-demand markets.
New graduate starting base	~$215,000	Average starting salary reported for recent graduating cohorts (Case Western Reserve).
New graduate first-year total	~$239,000	Total first-year earnings including sign-on bonuses and initial call pay (Marit Health reports).
Federal BLS search result	$135,880	Misleading general Physician Assistant median used by automated search snippets.

Why Google Salary Searches Are Misleading

If you search Google for "CAA salary", the first snippet usually displays an average of roughly $135,000. That number is completely misleading. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not track Anesthesiologist Assistants under a separate code; instead, O*NET lists CAAs under general Physician Assistants (29-1071.01) and displays PA wages. Other generic aggregator sites accidentally pull data for anesthesia technicians (a support role earning $40,000–$50,000). In reality, entry-level CAA positions in 2026 routinely start above $200,000.

Starting Pay for New Graduates

New CAA graduates enter a strong job market with high demand from hospital systems and private anesthesia groups. Case Western, which graduates ~120 students per year across four campuses, reports an average starting salary of ~$215,000, with nearly 100% of students accepting employment offers prior to graduation. Sign-on bonuses typically range from $20,000 to $50,000 (often tied to a 1–2 year commitment), bringing first-year total compensation close to $240,000.

Experienced Pay, Overtime & Call Premiums

As CAAs gain experience, base compensation generally rises into the $240,000–$280,000 range. Top job postings in competitive markets reach $350,000 or more. In addition to base salary, most clinical practices offer extra compensation for:

On-call coverage: Hourly pay for carrying a pager, plus time-and-a-half or double pay when called into the hospital.
Overtime shifts: Additional voluntary shifts or surgical room holdovers.
Subspecialty complexity: Premiums for cardiac, neurosurgical, pediatric, or Level 1 trauma anesthesia teams.

Full-Time (W-2) vs. Locum Tenens (1099)

The majority of CAAs work as full-time W-2 employees with comprehensive benefits, including healthcare, retirement match, paid malpractice insurance, and 6 to 8+ weeks of paid time off. CAAs looking for flexibility can work as 1099 independent contractors (locum tenens or PRN), with hourly rates typically ranging from $180 to $260+ per hour, from which they cover their own taxes and benefits.

Why State Practice Laws Matter Most

While regional pay differences exist, the most critical factor is where you are legally authorized to work. CAAs can only practice in states with active licensing or delegation statutes. Before comparing regional compensation, always verify state authorization on our state-by-state practice map.