Nursing Assistant salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Nursing Assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $46,940 a year ($22.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 45,850 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,450 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 2% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $45,960. There are 10 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,610, close to the median.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| 25th percentile | $42,940 | $20.65 |
| Median | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| 75th percentile | $49,060 | $23.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,450 | $26.18 |
| Average (mean) | $46,610 | $22.41 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,911.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,955.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,805.38 |
| Weekly | $902.69 |
| Hourly | $22.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | $43,180 | 950 |
| Peoria, IL | $43,040 | 2,740 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $42,220 | 7,650 |
| Decatur, IL | $41,990 | 600 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $40,350 | 11,390 |
| Rockford, IL | $40,140 | 2,120 |
| Springfield, IL | $40,070 | 1,120 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $39,890 | 1,560 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $39,110 | 14,620 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $38,880 | 9,730 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $38,740 | 2,220 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $38,550 | 1,520 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $38,400 | 340 |
| Columbus, IN | $38,260 | 230 |
| Kokomo, IN | $38,250 | 460 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $38,150 | 840 |
| Kankakee, IL | $37,900 | 860 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $37,860 | 710 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $37,760 | 770 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $37,210 | 3,610 |
| Evansville, IN | $37,180 | 2,030 |
| Muncie, IN | $37,080 | 700 |
| Bloomington, IN | $36,820 | 830 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $36,650 | 680 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $36,360 | 720 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Orderly | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $48,670 | $23.40 |
| Medical Assistant | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,950 | $23.53 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,200 | $29.42 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $72,230 | $34.73 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $39,280 | $18.88 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,630 | $23.38 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $67,840 | $32.61 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,700 | $18.61 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $46,940 a year, or $22.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $54,450 a year. The top 25% earn $49,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,980 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $42,940 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 45,850 nursing assistants are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.