Healthcare Recruiting
Registered Nurse Salary in Illinois 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
Registered Nurse Salary in Illinois (2026): City-by-City Pay Data
The average registered nurse salary in Illinois in 2026 is $79,600/year ($38.27/hour) based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and compensation data from Northwestern Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, University of Chicago Medicine, and other major Illinois health systems. Salaries range significantly across the state based on city, employer, specialty unit, shift, and certifications held.
RN Salary by City in Illinois
| City / Metro | Avg Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $91,000 | NorthShore + University of Chicago + Rush + Northwestern, dense academic market |
| Naperville / Suburbs | $84,000 | Edward-Elmhurst + DuPage Medical Group |
| Rockford | $72,000 | OSF HealthCare + SwedishAmerican |
| Springfield | $70,000 | HSHS St. John's + Memorial Medical Center |
| Peoria | $71,000 | OSF Saint Francis — Level I Trauma center |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in Illinois
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $226,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $104,000 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $98,000 |
| Cardiac / Cath Lab RN | $101,000 |
| Emergency RN | $93,000 |
| Oncology RN | $94,000 |
Top Illinois Healthcare Employers for RNs
- Northwestern Medicine
- Rush University Medical Center
- University of Chicago Medicine
- Advocate Aurora Health
- NorthShore University HealthSystem
- OSF HealthCare
- AMITA Health
Compact License Status
Illinois is not a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state. RNs from other states must apply for Illinois endorsement before practicing — plan 3–8 weeks for processing.
Illinois RN Job Market Outlook
Illinois is not a compact state — IDFPR processing takes 4–8 weeks for endorsement. Chicago is one of the most competitive nursing markets in the Midwest with strong union presence (NNOC/NNU) at several major systems. Travel: $2,000–$2,600/week in Chicagoland.
How to Maximize Your RN Salary in Illinois
- Pursue specialty unit certification: CCRN (critical care), CEN (emergency), RNC-OB (L&D), CNOR (OR) — each adds $6,000–$15,000 at major Illinois health systems
- Night and weekend differential: Typically +$3–$7/hr, translating to $6,000–$14,000 in annualized additional income at full-time hours
- Charge nurse role: +$2–$5/hr at most facilities; first step toward nurse manager track
- Travel or PRN status: Experienced Illinois RNs earn 30–50% more as travelers or per-diem staff
- BSN or MSN completion: Most major Illinois systems pay $1–$3/hr more for BSN-prepared nurses; MSN opens management and APRN pathways
Related: RN Salary by State 2026, Travel Nurse Salary Guide, ICU Nurse Salary 2026, NP Salary Guide.
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