Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Aurora, IL: $238,654 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Aurora, IL earns a median $238,654/year (≈ $114.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Aurora's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $245,782 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median nurse anesthetist salary in Aurora, Illinois, is projected at $238,654, indicative of a compensation framework shaped by significant variability in call coverage and lifestyle preferences. With a salary range stretching from $155,406 at the 10th percentile to $344,968 at the 90th percentile, this local pay structure reflects multiple factors, including the demand for services and the choices that practitioners make regarding work-life balance. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and regional price parity adjustments, suggest that while Aurora offers competitive compensation, it is slightly below the national average of $248,893 for the same year, pushing applicants to consider how different role requirements can influence earnings. The market for nurse anesthetists in Aurora is evolving, creating opportunities for those willing to engage in diverse practice settings and schedules.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $155,406 | $74.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $200,955 | $96.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $238,654 | $114.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $298,357 | $143.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $344,968 | $165.85 |
Median Salary Position
4.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aurora
In Aurora, IL, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $189,562 (2026 est.). At $238,654, the local median is 4.11% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aurora: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aurora Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Aurora median: $238,654/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aurora Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $241,797 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -4.11% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aurora has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aurora, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $238,654 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $245,782 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$167,599
2025 BLS Actual
$226,857
2026 Current Est.
$238,654
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Aurora (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $167,599 | Actual |
| 2020 | $176,028 | Actual |
| 2021 | $187,563 | Actual |
| 2022 | $194,735 | Actual |
| 2023 | $203,902 | Actual |
| 2024 | $206,155 | Actual |
| 2025 | $226,857 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $238,654 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $251,064 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aurora metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $167,599 (2019) to $226,857 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $251,064 by 2027 — a total increase of $83,465 (49.80%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $155,406 – $200,955 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $200,955 – $238,654 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $238,654 – $298,357 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $298,357 – $344,968 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Aurora
The nursing anesthetist job market in Aurora is steady, employing around 44 qualified professionals, each navigating the local cost-of-living index of 97.1, which is slightly below the national average. Employers such as hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and the growing number of CRNA-owned group practices often dictate pay disparities. Factors like call coverage schedules—where regular rotations may range from 1-in-5 to 1-in-8—essentially guide the compensation landscape. Weekend and holiday differentials, along with productivity bonuses, also contribute significantly to the earnings potential. Given this market context, CRNAs in Aurora can maximize their pay through strategic engagement with varying employment models, tapping into locum tenens options or seeking partnership tracks in private practices to enhance their overall compensation while maintaining desirable lifestyle choices in this expanding field.
More salary data for Aurora, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Aurora, IL in 2026?
Is Aurora, IL a good place to work as a nurse anesthetist?
Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Aurora?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nurse anesthetist salary in Aurora?
How much does a nurse anesthetist make per hour 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $226,857 for nurse anesthetistsin the Aurora metropolitan area. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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