Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Illinois: $265,353 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 64 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $265,353/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $273,278 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Peoria ($310,930), Naperville ($268,656), Chicago ($265,880).
In 2026, nurse anesthetists in Illinois are projected to earn an average median salary of $265,352, exceeding the national median of $248,893 by 6.6%. Within the state, significant salary disparities exist among cities. Peoria stands out as the highest-paying city at $327,098, while Carbondale reflects the lowest at $226,365, resulting in a salary gap of $100,733. Factors influencing this disparity include local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. Illinois requires nurse anesthetists to hold a master's or doctoral degree, along with national certification and state licensure, which ensures a high level of competency in practice. The state's scope of practice laws allow for a considerable degree of independence, enabling nurse anesthetists to administer anesthesia in various settings without always needing a physician present. The job market for nurse anesthetists is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.20%, reflective of the increasing demand for surgical and pain management services. Major urban areas like Naperville, Chicago, and Elgin report competitive salaries of $282,626, $279,706, and $277,210, respectively, indicating strong opportunities for professionals in these regions. Overall, the future outlook appears robust, driven by healthcare sector growth and an expanding aging population in need of anesthesia services.
Illinois Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Illinois: $101,623 (lowest entry-level) to $504,339 (highest top earner)
Illinois vs National Average
Illinois nurse anesthetists earn 6.61% more than the national median (+$16,460/year difference).
Illinois Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in Illinois range from $129,868 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $424,300 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $265,353. The Illinois median is $16,460 above the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $127.58/hr. Approximately 1,647 nurse anesthetists are employed across 64 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$184,850
2025 BLS Actual
$252,236
2026 Current Est.
$265,353
2019–2027 Growth
+51.0%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Illinois (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $184,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $181,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $195,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $219,703 | Actual |
| 2023 | $226,713 | Actual |
| 2024 | $214,189 | Actual |
| 2025 | $252,236 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $265,353 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $279,151 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 36.5% from $184,850 (2019) to $252,236 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $279,151 by 2027 — a total increase of $94,301 (51.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Illinois
Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Carbondale | $226,365 |
| Elmhurst | $228,621 |
| Calumet City | $229,182 |
| Galesburg | $229,258 |
| Crystal Lake | $230,140 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in Illinois
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria | $327,098 | 91.231 | $358,538 |
| Naperville | $282,626 | 97.1 | $291,067 |
| Elgin | $277,210 | 97.1 | $285,489 |
| Chicago | $279,706 | 103.595 | $270,000 |
| Decatur | $245,049 | 97.1 | $252,368 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $129,868 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $265,353 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $424,300 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 64 Cities in Illinois
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peoria | $327,098 |
| 2 | Naperville | $282,626 |
| 3 | Chicago | $279,706 |
| 4 | Elgin | $277,210 |
| 5 | Decatur | $245,049 |
| 6 | Orland Park | $245,049 |
| 7 | Bolingbrook | $243,996 |
| 8 | Champaign | $243,421 |
| 9 | Palatine | $242,158 |
| 10 | Waukegan | $242,024 |
| 11 | Mount Prospect | $241,564 |
| 12 | Hoffman Estates | $240,780 |
| 13 | Evanston | $240,321 |
| 14 | Joliet | $240,118 |
| 15 | Oak Park | $239,918 |
| 16 | Rockford | $239,708 |
| 17 | Danville | $239,423 |
| 18 | Springfield | $239,297 |
| 19 | Addison | $238,917 |
| 20 | Berwyn | $238,808 |
| 21 | Aurora | $238,654 |
| 22 | Tinley Park | $238,617 |
| 23 | Moline | $238,579 |
| 24 | Northbrook | $238,373 |
| 25 | St. Charles | $238,222 |
| 26 | Gurnee | $238,166 |
| 27 | Arlington Heights | $237,832 |
| 28 | Wheaton | $237,526 |
| 29 | Woodridge | $237,453 |
| 30 | Schaumburg | $237,334 |
| 31 | Buffalo Grove | $237,266 |
| 32 | Bartlett | $237,247 |
| 33 | Lake in the Hills | $236,365 |
| 34 | Collinsville | $236,329 |
| 35 | Skokie | $236,262 |
| 36 | Wheeling | $235,915 |
| 37 | Carpentersville | $235,653 |
| 38 | Oak Lawn | $235,497 |
| 39 | O'Fallon | $235,447 |
| 40 | Rock Island | $234,884 |
| 41 | Quincy | $234,528 |
| 42 | Algonquin | $234,528 |
| 43 | Bloomington | $234,445 |
| 44 | Carol Stream | $234,321 |
| 45 | Normal | $234,310 |
| 46 | Lombard | $234,171 |
| 47 | Cicero | $233,928 |
| 48 | Plainfield | $233,684 |
| 49 | Des Plaines | $233,641 |
| 50 | Urbana | $233,571 |
| 51 | Oswego | $232,747 |
| 52 | DeKalb | $232,558 |
| 53 | Park Ridge | $232,371 |
| 54 | Hanover Park | $232,277 |
| 55 | Glenview | $232,258 |
| 56 | Romeoville | $231,321 |
| 57 | Streamwood | $231,002 |
| 58 | Downers Grove | $230,571 |
| 59 | Belleville | $230,514 |
| 60 | Crystal Lake | $230,140 |
| 61 | Galesburg | $229,258 |
| 62 | Calumet City | $229,182 |
| 63 | Elmhurst | $228,621 |
| 64 | Carbondale | $226,365 |
More Illinois Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Compare Cities in Illinois
View all comparisons →Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Illinois in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse anesthetists in Illinois?
How does Illinois nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in Illinois?
How many nurse anesthetists are employed in Illinois?
Which Illinois city offers the best value for nurse anesthetists?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse anesthetist compensation across Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 64 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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