Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Waukegan, IL: $242,024 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Waukegan, IL earns a median $242,024/year (≈ $116.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Waukegan's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $249,252 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the salary for nurse anesthetists in Waukegan, IL, is projected to reach a median of $242,024, positioning it slightly below the national figure of $248,893. This disparity can primarily be attributed to the local market dynamics and the varying demands of different employment structures. Nurse anesthetists in the area can expect a salary range from $154,495 at the 10th percentile to $359,360 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse workloads and responsibilities associated with varying practice settings. Factors such as call coverage requirements and the work-life balance choices made by professionals in this field greatly influence this pay spectrum. With the current local estimates based on BLS data, Waukegan's salary statistics signal an evolving job market that presents growth opportunities amidst the 5.20% projected annual increase.
About the Waukegan Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $154,495 | $74.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $206,424 | $99.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $242,024 | $116.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $300,193 | $144.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $359,360 | $172.77 |
Median Salary Position
2.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukegan
In Waukegan, IL, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $204,865 (2026 est.). At $242,024, the local median is 2.76% below the national median of $248,893.
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At 40 hours/week in Waukegan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukegan Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Waukegan median: $242,024/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukegan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $241,782 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | -2.76% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Waukegan, IL earn a median of $242,024 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.76% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $241,782.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukegan 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.
Waukegan, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $242,024 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $249,252 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$169,966
2025 BLS Actual
$230,061
2026 Current Est.
$242,024
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Waukegan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $169,966 | Actual |
| 2020 | $178,514 | Actual |
| 2021 | $190,212 | Actual |
| 2022 | $197,485 | Actual |
| 2023 | $206,782 | Actual |
| 2024 | $209,067 | Actual |
| 2025 | $230,061 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $242,024 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $254,609 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukegan metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $169,966 (2019) to $230,061 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $254,609 by 2027 — a total increase of $84,643 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukegan 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) | $154,495 – $206,424 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $206,424 – $242,024 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $242,024 – $300,193 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $300,193 – $359,360 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Waukegan
As Waukegan currently employs 18 nurse anesthetists, the local job market is relatively niche compared to larger metropolitan areas, which can also affect salary variability. The cost of living index in Waukegan stands at 97.1, suggesting that although salaries may be lower than the national median, the relative affordability allows for greater purchasing power. Institutions like hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and CRNA-owned practices will typically offer the highest compensation, with some entities providing additional financial incentives like weekend differentials and bonuses based on operational efficiency. The broad pay range in Waukegan can largely be explained by the differences in on-call rotation expectations and contractual arrangements. To maximize earnings, nurse anesthetists should consider roles that offer lucrative call coverage arrangements and patient volume incentives, alongside the potential of partnership tracks that yield profit-sharing opportunities, allowing for greater overall compensation in their chosen practices.
More salary data for Waukegan, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Waukegan, IL in 2026?
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Waukegan?
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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 $230,061 for nurse anesthetistsin the Waukegan 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 Waukegan 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