Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Aurora, IL: $114.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Aurora, IL runs $114.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $238,654 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Aurora's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $118.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $143,198 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay in Aurora, Illinois is projected to be $114.74, slightly below the national median of $119.66. This compensation level provides a robust financial foundation for various employment types, including part-time and per diem nurse anesthetists who typically work in settings such as operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and pain management clinics. For professionals working a common schedule of three days per week, the hourly rate allows for a comfortable income while maintaining a desirable work-life balance. The hourly compensation ranges from $74.71 for entry-level positions to $165.85 for top earners, offering significant earning potential for experienced practitioners in the region. These hourly pay estimates are based on projected annual salary data, reflecting a comprehensive view of the market for nurse anesthetists in Aurora.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74.71 | $597.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96.62 | $772.93 |
| Median (P50) | $114.74 | $917.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143.44 | $1147.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $165.85 | $1326.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Aurora
Based on $114.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $114.74/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Aurora, IL can expect to earn approximately $238,663 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $137,690. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Aurora.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Aurora
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $4,589.67 | $19,889 | $238,663 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,753.80 | $11,933 | $143,198 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,835.87 | $7,955 | $95,465 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Aurora) | $114.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $60.12 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $60.58 |
| Nurse Midwife (National Avg) | $63.01 |
| Anesthesiologist (National Avg) | $174.04 |
Nurse Anesthetists in Aurora, IL earn a median of $238,654 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.11% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 1.30% below the Illinois state average of $241,797.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $114.74/hr = $143,198/year (purchasing power: $147,474).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $238,663/year (purchasing power: $245,791).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$80.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$109.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$114.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Aurora (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $84.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $90.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $93.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $98.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $99.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $109.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $120.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Aurora grew 35.4% from $80.58/hr (2019) to $109.07/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $120.71/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse anesthetists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Nurse Anesthetist in Aurora
Exploring the financial implications of part-time work reveals that a three-day-a-week schedule (totaling 24 hours) could yield an annual take-home income of around $89,144, significantly less than the full-time counterpart. Interestingly, per diem or locum tenens nurse anesthetists may see hourly rates between $200 and $350 in premium markets, with daily earnings ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 for full-week engagements—providing considerable flexibility and high earning potential while often requiring additional considerations like travel and malpractice coverage provided by agencies. Wage variations across different employer types in Aurora also impact earning potential. For instance, those working in hospital systems or ambulatory surgery centers may receive a steady W-2 paycheck, while CRNA-owned practices or locum tenens opportunities often offer 1099 arrangements without benefits. It’s essential for nurse anesthetists to weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without health insurance versus reliable benefits with lower pay. Understanding these nuances and negotiating effectively can significantly enhance earnings in the Aurora market.
More salary data for Aurora, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Aurora in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse anesthetists make in Aurora?
Are nurse anesthetists in Aurora paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time nurse anesthetist make per year in Aurora?
Do nurse anesthetists earn more per hour working part-time in Aurora?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nurse anesthetists in Aurora. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Aurora is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov