Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Chicago, IL: $279,706 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Chicago, IL earns a median $279,706/year (≈ $134.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $270,000 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.7% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, nurse anesthetists in Chicago can expect a median annual salary of $279,706, reflecting the city's robust healthcare market and demand for anesthesia professionals. The salary range is notably wide, spanning from $108,871 at the 10th percentile to $504,339 at the 90th percentile. Such dispersion indicates varying levels of experience and the call-coverage demands associated with different employer types. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), shows a competitive salary landscape for nurse anesthetists in Chicago, particularly when compared to the national median of $248,893, which highlights a significant 12.38% premium for professionals based in this city. With 840 nurse anesthetists employed locally, the labor market for this specialty remains strong.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $108,871 | $52.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $172,402 | $82.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $279,706 | $134.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $410,659 | $197.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $504,339 | $242.48 |
Median Salary Position
12.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $395,468 (2026 est.). At $279,706, the local median is 12.38% above the national median of $248,893.
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At 40 hours/week in Chicago: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chicago Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Chicago median: $279,706/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $241,751 | +15.70% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +12.38% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Chicago, IL earn a median of $279,706 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.38% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 15.70% above the Illinois state average of $241,751.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $279,706 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $270,000 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$184,850
2025 BLS Actual
$265,880
2026 Current Est.
$279,706
2019–2027 Growth
+59.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Chicago (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 | $219,827 | Actual |
| 2022 | $219,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $238,976 | Actual |
| 2024 | $226,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $265,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $279,706 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $294,250 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 43.8% from $184,850 (2019) to $265,880 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $294,250 by 2027 — a total increase of $109,400 (59.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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) | $108,871 – $172,402 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $172,402 – $279,706 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $279,706 – $410,659 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $410,659 – $504,339 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Chicago
The cost of living in Chicago, with an index of 103.595, slightly above the national average, impacts the purchasing power of nurse anesthetists, making market competitiveness essential. Major employers providing the highest pay include prominent hospital systems and CRNA-owned anesthesia group practices, especially those offering partnership tracks. The broad salary range can often be attributed to varying call schedules, differing time commitments for weekend and holiday shifts, and regional productivity bonuses. Those who choose to work with locum tenens agencies might see additional compensation opportunities but should be aware of the 1099 tax implications. Optimal strategies for maximizing nurse anesthetist pay in Chicago include negotiating call coverage rotations, seeking trauma center positions, and exploring opportunities in high-demand specialty areas. Understanding these dynamics will position CRNAs effectively in this evolving marketplace.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $265,880 for nurse anesthetistsin the Chicago 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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