Registered Nurse salary in Illinois
Registered Nurses in Illinois earn a median of $95,990 a year ($46.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 138,910 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,190 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $97,550. Illinois ranks 21st of 51 states for registered nurses pay. There are 23 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $94,360, close to the median.
Pay range for registered nurses in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,170 | $33.26 |
| 25th percentile | $80,020 | $38.47 |
| Median | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| 75th percentile | $105,960 | $50.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,190 | $56.82 |
| Average (mean) | $94,360 | $45.36 |
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 | $7,999.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,999.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,691.92 |
| Weekly | $1,845.96 |
| Hourly | $46.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $100,490 | 100,240 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $90,230 | 3,520 |
| Decatur, IL | $87,170 | 790 |
| Kankakee, IL | $86,220 | 1,390 |
| Springfield, IL | $84,220 | 4,110 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $83,180 | 35,200 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $82,640 | 1,470 |
| Peoria, IL | $81,010 | 5,460 |
| Rockford, IL | $80,930 | 4,620 |
| Bloomington, IL | $79,970 | 1,990 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $79,920 | 1,720 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $77,150 | 3,520 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $132,540 | $63.72 |
| Pharmacist | $139,080 | $66.86 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,250 | $50.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,680 | $62.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $95,080 | $45.71 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,670 | $46.48 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,700 | $47.93 |
| Dentists, General | $156,110 | $75.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,950 | $63.44 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,520 | $35.35 |
| Veterinarian | $133,580 | $64.22 |
| Chiropractor | $66,650 | $32.04 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $245,120 | $117.84 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for registered nurses in Illinois is $95,990 a year, or $46.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Illinois?
The top 10% of registered nurses in Illinois earn at least $118,190 a year. The top 25% earn $105,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,170 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $80,020 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Illinois?
About 138,910 registered nurses are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.