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Work under supervising anesthesiologists to develop and implement anesthesia care plans for surgical patients. One of the highest-paying allied health careers.
$110,000
Lower reported wage
—
Not available in our data
$182,200
Upper reported wage
Annual U.S. salaries. Actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience. The lower and upper figures do not represent starting and senior salaries.

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Create free account →The CAA route is distinct from nurse anesthesia and physician-assistant training; practice authority varies by state. [1]
Search CareerOneStop by occupation and state, then confirm the rules with the issuing agency. Coverage is incomplete; an empty result does not mean no license is required.
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U.S. career guide. Program, employer, and state requirements can differ.
No dedicated CAA SOC. Grouped under 29-1071 PAs ($133K median). Industry surveys put CAA $180K-$220K starting.
Annual median review, October 27, 2026: The stored BLS occupation includes a broader population than this specialty, title, or credential. No separate annual median for this role has been verified in the reviewed source, so the broader occupation median is not presented as its own. Sources: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2025/may/oes_stru.htm . Existing employment and projection figures were not refreshed.
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Ask whether any internship, field placement, or supervised training in your chosen route is paid; arrangements vary. [1]
Compare tuition after aid, required supplies and exams, travel, and any unpaid training time for the route you choose.
Planning questions: request a written estimate from each program or sponsor. A total cost has not been verified here.
A related major can be preparation; it does not by itself qualify you for the career.
A prerequisite route toward a CAA program; it is not a qualifying anesthesia credential. [1]
Support anesthesia care and patient monitoring under an anesthesiologist’s supervision. [1]
Operating rooms and other anesthesia care settings. [1]
Surgical schedules and coverage needs may include early starts or on-call work. [1]
Continuous monitoring and teamwork require precision under pressure. [1]
Experience may lead to clinical leadership or education responsibilities. [1]
These are possible directions. Promotion timing and pay depend on the role and employer.