Registered Nurse salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Registered Nurses in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $100,490 a year ($48.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 100,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,260 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 5% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $95,990. There are 22 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $97,930, close to the median.
Pay range for registered nurses in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,410 | $37.22 |
| 25th percentile | $82,640 | $39.73 |
| Median | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| 75th percentile | $108,430 | $52.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,260 | $57.34 |
| Average (mean) | $97,930 | $47.08 |
Half of registered nurses 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 | $8,374.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,187.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,865 |
| Weekly | $1,932.50 |
| Hourly | $48.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $93,540 | 3,370 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $90,230 | 3,520 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $88,100 | 1,650 |
| Decatur, IL | $87,170 | 790 |
| Kankakee, IL | $86,220 | 1,390 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $84,850 | 18,180 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $84,230 | 25,800 |
| Springfield, IL | $84,220 | 4,110 |
| Evansville, IN | $83,820 | 3,890 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $83,650 | 28,520 |
| Kokomo, IN | $83,370 | 740 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $83,180 | 35,200 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $82,640 | 1,470 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $82,300 | 790 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $81,550 | 1,600 |
| Peoria, IL | $81,010 | 5,460 |
| Rockford, IL | $80,930 | 4,620 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $80,790 | 2,080 |
| Bloomington, IN | $80,370 | 1,630 |
| Bloomington, IL | $79,970 | 1,990 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $79,920 | 1,720 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $79,630 | 6,450 |
| Muncie, IN | $79,500 | 1,220 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $77,150 | 3,520 |
| Columbus, IN | $77,030 | 640 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $94,820 | $45.59 |
| Pharmacist | $140,880 | $67.73 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,720 | $50.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,740 | $63.34 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,860 | $48.01 |
| Dentists, General | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $87,060 | $41.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,940 | $61.51 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,560 | $35.36 |
| Anesthesiologist | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Veterinarian | $148,730 | $71.51 |
| Chiropractor | $72,440 | $34.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 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 29-1141. 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 registered nurse make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $100,490 a year, or $48.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $119,260 a year. The top 25% earn $108,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,410 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $82,640 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 100,240 registered nurses are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.