Anesthesiologist Pay

Chicago vs Joliet: Anesthesiologist Salary (2026)

Compare anesthesiologist salaries between Chicago, IL and Joliet, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chicago, IL
$81,270
$39.07/hr
Joliet, IL
$394,684
$189.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILJoliet, IL
Median Salary$81,270$394,684
Hourly Rate$39.07$189.75
Entry Level (P10)$80,799$228,917
25th Percentile$81,270$284,172
75th Percentile$226,807$499,816
Top Earner (P90)$462,172$570,557
Total Employed1,70025
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($81,270) and Joliet ($394,684) anesthesiologist salaries.ChicagoJolietMedian Salary$81,270$394,684Entry Level (P10)$80,799$228,917Top Earner (P90)$462,172$570,557US Median $409,107

Verdict

Joliet, IL offers better overall compensation for anesthesiologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Chicago.

The salary gap between Chicago and Joliet is $313,414 (385.65%). Joliet's median is -3.53% compared to the US national median of $409,107.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chicago spans $381,373,Joliet spans $341,640. Chicago has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chicago
P10 (Entry)$80,799
P25$81,270
Median$81,270
P75$226,807
P90 (Top)$462,172
Joliet
P10 (Entry)$228,917
P25$284,172
Median$394,684
P75$499,816
P90 (Top)$570,557

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Joliet ($406,472 effective) pays 418.13% more than Chicago ($78,450 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $81,270
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $78,450
Joliet
Nominal: $394,684
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $406,472

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chicago if…

  • Larger job market (1,700 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Joliet if…

  • Higher median salary ($394,684/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($570,557)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $406,472)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, anesthesiologist salaries in Chicago grew -81.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 0.4% growth in Joliet over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+-81.1%

$411,423 (2024) → $77,770 (2025)

Joliet, IL

+0.4%

$376,250 (2024) → $377,688 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays anesthesiologists more: Chicago or Joliet?

Joliet has a higher median anesthesiologist salary at $394,684/year, compared to Chicago at $81,270/year — a difference of $313,414 (385.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Joliet?

Chicago anesthesiologists earn $39.07/hr while Joliet hygienists earn $189.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chicago to Joliet as a anesthesiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Joliet. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $78,450, Joliet = $406,472), job availability (1,700 vs 25 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level anesthesiologists earn in Chicago vs Joliet?

Entry-level (10th percentile) anesthesiologists earn $80,799 in Chicago and $228,917 in Joliet. The Joliet area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MC

Written by Dr. Maria Chen, MD

Career Analyst

Dr. Chen has over 10 years of experience in anesthesiology. She specializes in perioperative care at a major metropolitan hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Raj Patel, MDData verified by Dr. Amina Khan, MD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Dr. Maria Chen, MD, a licensed anesthesiologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov