Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Rockford, IL: $239,708 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Rockford, IL earns a median $239,708/year (≈ $115.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $246,867 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Projected for 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Rockford, IL, stands at a median of $239,708 annually, slightly lower than the national average of $248,893. This figure reflects the nuances of local employment conditions, with salaries ranging from $157,475 to $356,897. The local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost differences, indicate various factors influencing income, including call-coverage responsibilities and the diverse work environments available. Rockford's job market offers a variety of opportunities that can impact earnings significantly, especially given the low number of employed nurse anesthetists in the area—only 34 as of the latest figures.
About the Rockford Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $157,475 | $75.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $208,268 | $100.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $239,708 | $115.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $306,414 | $147.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $356,897 | $171.58 |
Median Salary Position
3.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $199,422 (2026 est.). At $239,708, the local median is 3.69% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rockford Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Rockford median: $239,708/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $241,641 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -3.69% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Rockford, IL earn a median of $239,708 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.69% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 0.80% below the Illinois state average of $241,641.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford 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.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $239,708 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $246,867 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
$168,340
2025 BLS Actual
$227,859
2026 Current Est.
$239,708
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $168,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $176,805 | Actual |
| 2021 | $188,391 | Actual |
| 2022 | $195,595 | Actual |
| 2023 | $204,802 | Actual |
| 2024 | $207,066 | Actual |
| 2025 | $227,859 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $239,708 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $252,172 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $168,340 (2019) to $227,859 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $252,172 by 2027 — a total increase of $83,832 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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) | $157,475 – $208,268 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $208,268 – $239,708 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $239,708 – $306,414 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $306,414 – $356,897 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Rockford
In terms of take-home pay, the cost of living index in Rockford is 97.1, showing a cost structure below the national average, which can enhance purchasing power for nurse anesthetists. Employers such as hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers typically provide competitive pay, while CRNA-owned group practices may offer even more lucrative compensation options through partnership tracks. Variations in nurse anesthetist pay in Rockford, IL, can be influenced by factors like call coverage rotation and the potential for bonus structures tied to productivity or trauma center stipends. To maximize earnings in this market, pursuing roles that offer a good call schedule and exploring opportunities in both W-2 and 1099 roles could yield better financial results. Understanding the local job dynamics and employer expectations is essential for successfully navigating the landscape of nurse anesthetist pay in Rockford.
More salary data for Rockford, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Rockford, IL in 2026?
Is Rockford, IL a good place to work as a nurse anesthetist?
Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Rockford?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nurse anesthetist salary in Rockford?
How much does a nurse anesthetist make per hour in Rockford?
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 $227,859 for nurse anesthetistsin the Rockford 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 Rockford 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