Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Wheeling, IL: $235,915 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Wheeling, IL earns a median $235,915/year (≈ $113.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Wheeling's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $242,961 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for nurse anesthetists in Wheeling, Illinois, reaches $235,915, reflecting a slightly lower figure compared to the national median of $248,893. The salary range for this profession in the area is significant, spanning from $165,339 at the 10th percentile to $336,816 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from actual data based on 2025 BLS information, adjusted for regional pricing and cost of living considerations. Factors such as call coverage and the demands of weekend or holiday shifts largely contribute to the wage disparity here. With Wheeling's healthcare environment and the evolving landscape of nurse anesthesia, these figures reveal a competitive yet nuanced job market.
About the Wheeling Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($215,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $165,339 | $79.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $211,937 | $101.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $235,915 | $113.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $295,777 | $142.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $336,816 | $161.93 |
Median Salary Position
5.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheeling
In Wheeling, IL, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $171,477 (2026 est.). At $235,915, the local median is 5.21% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheeling: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheeling Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Wheeling median: $235,915/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheeling Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $241,716 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -5.21% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Wheeling, IL earn a median of $235,915 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.21% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 2.40% below the Illinois state average of $241,716.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheeling 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.
Wheeling, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $235,915 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $242,961 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$165,676
2025 BLS Actual
$224,254
2026 Current Est.
$235,915
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $165,676 | Actual |
| 2020 | $174,008 | Actual |
| 2021 | $185,411 | Actual |
| 2022 | $192,501 | Actual |
| 2023 | $201,562 | Actual |
| 2024 | $203,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $224,254 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $235,915 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $248,183 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheeling metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $165,676 (2019) to $224,254 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $248,183 by 2027 — a total increase of $82,507 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheeling 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) | $165,339 – $211,937 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $211,937 – $235,915 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $235,915 – $295,777 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $295,777 – $336,816 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Wheeling
Despite the projected salary level, the local job market for nurse anesthetists in Wheeling is limited, with only six professionals employed in the area. The cost of living index sits at 97.1, indicating a living expense lower than the national average, which may enhance the effective purchasing power of local salaries. Various employers affect compensation levels, with hospital systems typically offering W-2 positions that may guarantee more stable income, while ambulatory surgery centers and CRNA-owned practices provide varying paths for income through partnership options or locum tenens roles. The factors that drive pay differences in Wheeling include variations in call rotation schedules, productivity bonuses, and tax structure considerations. For those in the field, learning to negotiate for better call coverage terms and understanding the nuances of compensation packages may be essential strategies to maximize their earnings within this specific regional market.
More salary data for Wheeling, 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 $224,254 for nurse anesthetistsin the Wheeling 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 Wheeling 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