Entry-Level Anesthesiologist Salary in Chicago, IL: $80,799 (2026)
Quick Answer:New anesthesiologists entering the Chicago, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $80,799 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1211, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Chicago's local price level (BEA RPP 103.6 — 4% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,995 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($81,270) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For those entering the field of anesthesiology in Chicago, the 2026 entry-level anesthesiologist salary is projected to begin around $80,799, which aligns closely with the city’s median salary of $81,270. New graduates can expect to see gradual growth in their earnings over the first few years, potentially moving towards the 25th percentile figure of $81,270 as they gain experience. Chicago’s job market is relatively robust for entry-level anesthesiologists, presenting a promising landscape as the city enjoys a healthy demand for qualified medical professionals. With compensation trajectories expected to increase at an annual growth rate of 4.50%, new anesthesiologists can look forward to building their careers in a city that values their expertise.
Career Earnings Timeline in Chicago
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
Entry-level anesthesiologists in Chicago, IL typically start between $80,799 and $81,270 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $381,373 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $81,270 — 80.13% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average anesthesiology program cost in Illinois of $340,000 represents just 420.80% of the starting anesthesiologist pay ($80,799/year) in Chicago. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AAMC tuition reports for LCME-accredited MD programs and COCA-accredited DO programs, plus ACGME-accredited anesthesiology residency data. Totals include 4 years of medical school tuition, fees, and living expenses; residency is salaried but adds opportunity cost. Actual debt varies widely by public vs. private institution and state residency status.
ANES Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Chicago
- 1Research the Chicago market: entry-level anesthesiologist pay ranges from $80,799 to $81,270, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the anesthesiology field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Chicago, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Chicago for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Chicago's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Anesthesiologist Compensation Range
The anesthesiologist wage spread in Chicago is $381,373 ( 472.00%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $80,799, experienced hygienists can earn up to $462,172.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$94,558
2025 BLS Actual
$77,320
2026 Current Est.
$80,799
2019–2027 Growth
+-10.7%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,558 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,779 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,612 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,049 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,731 | Actual |
| 2024 | $238,625 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,799 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,435 | Projected |
Entry-level anesthesiologist compensation (10th percentile) in Chicago, IL grew -18.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $94,558 in 2019 to $77,320 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $84,435. New graduates entering the Chicago job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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 4.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your anesthesiology Career in Chicago
In Chicago, academic medical centers are often the best bet for hiring new graduates, as they provide a diverse range of cases including cardiac and pediatric anesthesia, which is invaluable for early-career learning. Large group practices typically recruit directly from residency programs, offering pathways to partnership within a few years, making them an attractive option. Entry-level salaries may be influenced positively by credentials such as an MD or DO degree, completion of a four-year anesthesiology residency, and ABA board certification. For those eager to enhance their starting pay, pursuing optional fellowships or acquiring DEA/state controlled-substance registrations can provide an edge. Given the significant shifts in anesthesiology compensation models after the 2010s consolidation trend, new graduates should strategize their first 1-3 years by considering options between hospital employment models and private practice settings, as these can drastically impact their earnings potential as they progress.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new anesthesiology graduates. A 4.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Chicago. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for anesthesiologists (SOC 29-1211).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Maria Chen, MD, a licensed anesthesiologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov