Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Chicago vs Romeoville: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Chicago, IL and Romeoville, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chicago, IL
$279,706
$134.48/hr
Romeoville, IL
$231,321
$111.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILRomeoville, IL
Median Salary$279,706$231,321
Hourly Rate$134.48$111.21
Entry Level (P10)$108,871$161,844
25th Percentile$172,402$207,426
75th Percentile$410,659$284,484
Top Earner (P90)$504,339$322,035
Total Employed8407
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($279,706) and Romeoville ($231,321) nurse anesthetist salaries.ChicagoRomeovilleMedian Salary$279,706$231,321Entry Level (P10)$108,871$161,844Top Earner (P90)$504,339$322,035US Median $248,893

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Romeoville.

The salary gap between Chicago and Romeoville is $48,385 (20.92%). Chicago's median is +12.38% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chicago spans $395,468,Romeoville spans $160,191. Chicago has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chicago
P10 (Entry)$108,871
P25$172,402
Median$279,706
P75$410,659
P90 (Top)$504,339
Romeoville
P10 (Entry)$161,844
P25$207,426
Median$231,321
P75$284,484
P90 (Top)$322,035

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chicago ($270,000 effective) pays 13.34% more than Romeoville ($238,230 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $279,706
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $270,000
Romeoville
Nominal: $231,321
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $238,230

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($279,706/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($504,339)
  • Larger job market (840 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $270,000)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Romeoville if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Chicago grew 43.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.0% growth in Romeoville over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+43.8%

$184,850 (2019) → $265,880 (2025)

Romeoville, IL

+10.0%

$199,821 (2024) → $219,887 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Chicago or Romeoville?

Chicago has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $279,706/year, compared to Romeoville at $231,321/year — a difference of $48,385 (20.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Romeoville?

Chicago nurse anesthetists earn $134.48/hr while Romeoville hygienists earn $111.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chicago to Romeoville as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Romeoville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $270,000, Romeoville = $238,230), job availability (840 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Chicago vs Romeoville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $108,871 in Chicago and $161,844 in Romeoville. The Romeoville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AJ

Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA

Career Analyst

Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Lee, DNP, CRNAData verified by Fatima Ahmad, MSN, CRNA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.20% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov