RN Salary by Role in Illinois
RN Pay by Metro in Illinois
Where you work inside Illinois moves your paycheck. Here is what registered nurses earn in each major Illinois market, compared with the national RN median of $97,550. Tap a metro for hospitals, openings and cost of living.
| Metro | Median RN pay | Typical range | NP median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $100,490 | $82,640 – $108,430 | $131,740 |
Powered by RN Workforce Insights™. Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile.
About RN Pay in Illinois
Nurses in Illinois earn above the national average, with staff RNs typically making around $82,000 a year.
Pay climbs steadily with experience and responsibility. New grad RNs in Illinois typically start around $61,000, while nurses who move into specialty units like the ICU, ER, or OR can expect closer to $94,000. Stepping into leadership pays off too — nurse managers average around $105,000, directors of nursing around $121,000, and chief nursing officers can earn $143,000 or more. Nurses who pursue advanced practice (NP, CNS, CRNA, or CNM) report average earnings near $105,000.
Illinois is not currently a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses moving to or from Illinois will need to apply for licensure by endorsement through the Illinois Board of Nursing rather than relying on a multistate license.
As with any state, factor in local cost of living and taxes alongside salary when evaluating job offers in Illinois.
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