Anesthesiologist Salary in Illinois: $174,711 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 64 metropolitan areas, the average median anesthesiologist pay sits at $174,711/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1211. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $179,929 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Naperville ($387,947), Decatur ($385,443), Orland Park ($385,443).
In 2026, the average median salary for anesthesiologists in Illinois is projected to be $174,710, significantly lower than the national median of $409,107, indicating a disparity of -57.3%. The city of Naperville ranks as the highest-paying area, with an average salary of $405,405, while Chicago is the lowest at $81,270, reflecting a substantial salary gap driven by factors such as local demand for anesthesia services, cost of living, and hospital funding variations. There are 2,435 anesthesiologists currently employed across the state, and the job market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.50% according to recent projections. The demand for anesthesiologists in Illinois is influenced by the state’s licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can impact the availability of qualified professionals in the field. Prospective anesthesiologists should consider the regional differences in compensation and employment opportunities, as well as how local healthcare infrastructure may affect career prospects in various cities. Understanding these factors can help guide career choices and expectations for future earnings in Illinois.
Illinois Anesthesiologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Illinois: $80,799 (lowest entry-level) to $607,095 (highest top earner)
Illinois vs National Average
Illinois anesthesiologists earn 57.29% less than the national median ($-234,396/year difference).
Illinois Anesthesiologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Anesthesiologist salaries in Illinois range from $124,834 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $490,305 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $174,711. The Illinois median is $234,396 below the US national median of $409,107. The average hourly rate is $84.00/hr. Approximately 2,435 anesthesiologists are employed across 64 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$128,383
2025 BLS Actual
$167,187
2026 Current Est.
$174,711
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Illinois (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $128,383 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $140,197 | Actual |
| 2022 | $146,506 | Actual |
| 2023 | $153,099 | Actual |
| 2024 | $388,528 | Actual |
| 2025 | $167,187 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $174,711 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $182,573 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $128,383 (2019) to $167,187 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $182,573 by 2027 — a total increase of $54,190 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Illinois
Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Chicago | $81,270 |
| Carbondale | $372,080 |
| Elmhurst | $375,785 |
| Calumet City | $376,710 |
| Galesburg | $376,833 |
Best Value Cities for Anesthesiologists in Illinois
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for anesthesiologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville | $405,405 | 97.1 | $417,513 |
| Decatur | $402,788 | 97.1 | $414,818 |
| Orland Park | $402,788 | 97.1 | $414,818 |
| Bolingbrook | $401,057 | 97.1 | $413,035 |
| Champaign | $400,114 | 97.1 | $412,064 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $124,834 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $174,711 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $490,305 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 64 Cities in Illinois
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naperville | $405,405 |
| 2 | Decatur | $402,788 |
| 3 | Orland Park | $402,788 |
| 4 | Bolingbrook | $401,057 |
| 5 | Champaign | $400,114 |
| 6 | Peoria | $398,246 |
| 7 | Palatine | $398,037 |
| 8 | Waukegan | $397,817 |
| 9 | Elgin | $397,637 |
| 10 | Mount Prospect | $397,062 |
| 11 | Hoffman Estates | $395,772 |
| 12 | Evanston | $395,017 |
| 13 | Joliet | $394,684 |
| 14 | Oak Park | $394,356 |
| 15 | Rockford | $394,010 |
| 16 | Danville | $393,541 |
| 17 | Springfield | $393,336 |
| 18 | Addison | $392,709 |
| 19 | Berwyn | $392,531 |
| 20 | Aurora | $392,276 |
| 21 | Tinley Park | $392,217 |
| 22 | Moline | $392,154 |
| 23 | Northbrook | $391,814 |
| 24 | St. Charles | $391,568 |
| 25 | Gurnee | $391,476 |
| 26 | Arlington Heights | $390,927 |
| 27 | Wheaton | $390,423 |
| 28 | Woodridge | $390,304 |
| 29 | Schaumburg | $390,109 |
| 30 | Buffalo Grove | $389,996 |
| 31 | Bartlett | $389,965 |
| 32 | Lake in the Hills | $388,516 |
| 33 | Collinsville | $388,455 |
| 34 | Skokie | $388,347 |
| 35 | Wheeling | $387,777 |
| 36 | Carpentersville | $387,345 |
| 37 | Oak Lawn | $387,089 |
| 38 | O'Fallon | $387,006 |
| 39 | Rock Island | $386,082 |
| 40 | Quincy | $385,495 |
| 41 | Algonquin | $385,495 |
| 42 | Bloomington | $385,358 |
| 43 | Carol Stream | $385,157 |
| 44 | Normal | $385,138 |
| 45 | Lombard | $384,910 |
| 46 | Cicero | $384,509 |
| 47 | Plainfield | $384,109 |
| 48 | Des Plaines | $384,036 |
| 49 | Urbana | $383,924 |
| 50 | Oswego | $382,567 |
| 51 | DeKalb | $382,259 |
| 52 | Park Ridge | $381,951 |
| 53 | Hanover Park | $381,796 |
| 54 | Glenview | $381,766 |
| 55 | Romeoville | $380,224 |
| 56 | Streamwood | $379,700 |
| 57 | Downers Grove | $378,991 |
| 58 | Belleville | $378,898 |
| 59 | Crystal Lake | $378,282 |
| 60 | Galesburg | $376,833 |
| 61 | Calumet City | $376,710 |
| 62 | Elmhurst | $375,785 |
| 63 | Carbondale | $372,080 |
| 64 | Chicago | $81,270 |
More Illinois Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore anesthesiologist hourly pay in Illinois cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced anesthesiologists.
Compare Cities in Illinois
View all comparisons →Explore More Anesthesiologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do anesthesiologists make in Illinois in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for anesthesiologists in Illinois?
How does Illinois anesthesiologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level anesthesiologist salary in Illinois?
How many anesthesiologists are employed in Illinois?
Which Illinois city offers the best value for anesthesiologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 anesthesiologist compensation across Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 64 metro areas — larger metro areas with more anesthesiologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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