Anesthesiologist Salary in Chicago, IL: $81,270 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time anesthesiologist in Chicago, IL earns a median $81,270/year (≈ $39.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $78,450 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 79.5% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Anesthesiologists in Chicago, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $81,270 in 2026, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The salary range for this position spans from $80,799 at the 10th percentile to $462,172 at the 90th percentile. Such a broad distribution highlights the impact of case volume, call burden, and whether the position is W-2 employed or structured as a 1099 partnership. The Chicago anesthesia market's compensated structures vary considerably, influenced by the workload and the specific employer type. As more anesthesiologists lean towards private practice or academic affiliations, these dynamics further contribute to the wide salary spectrum observed in the city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,799 | $38.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,270 | $39.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,270 | $39.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $226,807 | $109.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $462,172 | $222.20 |
Median Salary Position
80.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the anesthesiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $381,373 (2026 est.). At $81,270, the local median is 80.13% below the national median of $409,107.
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At 40 hours/week in Chicago: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Chicago Anesthesiologist Pay Compares
Chicago median: $81,270/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $396,437 | -79.50% less |
| National Average | $409,107 | -80.13% less |
Anesthesiologists in Chicago, IL earn a median of $81,270 per year (2026 est.), which is 80.13% lower than the national median of $409,107 and 79.50% below the Illinois state average of $396,437.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,270 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,450 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,719
2025 BLS Actual
$77,770
2026 Current Est.
$81,270
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
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 | $59,719 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,407 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,215 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,216 | Actual |
| 2024 | $411,423 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,270 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,927 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $59,719 (2019) to $77,770 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,927 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,208 (42.21%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $80,799 – $81,270 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,270 – $81,270 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,270 – $226,807 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $226,807 – $462,172 |
ANES salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual anesthesiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Anesthesiologist Job Market in Chicago
The job market for anesthesiologists in Chicago is robust, with approximately 1,700 professionals currently employed in this field. However, the cost of living index, set at 103.595, indicates that expenses are slightly above the national average, which can affect take-home pay. Among local employers, hospital systems typically provide stable salaries, while private anesthesia groups may offer partnership opportunities with additional earning potential. Factors such as case volume, rotation schedules, and subspecialty training can drive compensation disparities between practices. To maximize earnings, anesthesiologists should consider pursuing fellowship training in valued subspecialties, selecting employers with favorable compensation structures, and engaging in productivity-based incentives. Understanding these variables is crucial to navigating anesthesiologist pay in Chicago, IL.
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
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 $77,770 for anesthesiologistsin the Chicago metropolitan area. A 4.50% 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
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