Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Wheaton, IL: $237,526 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Wheaton, IL earns a median $237,526/year (≈ $114.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Wheaton's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $244,620 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheaton, Illinois, nurse anesthetist salaries present a compelling picture of financial potential, with the 2026 median annual salary reaching $237,526. This figure sits below the national median of $248,893, highlighting a slight variance in regional compensation. The salary range for nurse anesthetists in Wheaton extends from $163,480 at the 10th percentile to $343,750 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost disparities, reflect the structural dynamics of the job market. Unlike larger metropolitan areas, Wheaton's compensation rates may be influenced by the prevalent employment models—nurse anesthetists can choose between W-2 positions within hospital systems or 1099 opportunities in group practices, with effective compensation often shaped by these choices.
About the Wheaton Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $163,480 | $78.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $211,481 | $101.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $237,526 | $114.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $298,307 | $143.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $343,750 | $165.27 |
Median Salary Position
4.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheaton
In Wheaton, IL, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $180,270 (2026 est.). At $237,526, the local median is 4.57% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheaton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheaton Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Wheaton median: $237,526/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheaton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $241,634 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -4.57% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Wheaton, IL earn a median of $237,526 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.57% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 1.70% below the Illinois state average of $241,634.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheaton 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.
Wheaton, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $237,526 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $244,620 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$166,807
2025 BLS Actual
$225,785
2026 Current Est.
$237,526
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Wheaton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $166,807 | Actual |
| 2020 | $175,196 | Actual |
| 2021 | $186,677 | Actual |
| 2022 | $193,815 | Actual |
| 2023 | $202,938 | Actual |
| 2024 | $205,181 | Actual |
| 2025 | $225,785 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $237,526 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $249,877 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheaton metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $166,807 (2019) to $225,785 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $249,877 by 2027 — a total increase of $83,070 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheaton 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) | $163,480 – $211,481 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $211,481 – $237,526 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $237,526 – $298,307 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $298,307 – $343,750 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Wheaton
The local job market has approximately 14 nurse anesthetists currently employed, which contributes to a sense of stability in healthcare settings. Wheaton's cost of living index at 97.1 indicates that housing and living expenses are slightly below the national average, allowing for potentially greater purchasing power for CRNAs than in higher-cost areas. Among the various employers in Wheaton, hospital systems tend to offer competitive pay structures, often supplemented by benefits and stability. The variation in pay can be linked to factors such as call coverage rotations, which can range from 1-in-8 to 1-in-5, and additional compensation for weekend or holiday work. CRNAs aiming to optimize their earnings in Wheaton should consider exploring partnership opportunities within anesthesia group practices, as these can offer profit distribution based on performance. Those seeking to maintain flexibility might also find that locum tenens assignments can provide lucrative alternatives, albeit with the trade-off of variability in income and lack of job security.
More salary data for Wheaton, 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 $225,785 for nurse anesthetistsin the Wheaton 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 Wheaton 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