Registered Nurse salary in Rockford, IL
Registered Nurses in the Rockford, IL metro area earn a median of $80,930 a year ($38.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,620 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,790 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 16% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $95,990. There are 34 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $87,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Rockford, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,320 | $31.88 |
| 25th percentile | $77,600 | $37.31 |
| Median | $80,930 | $38.91 |
| 75th percentile | $99,210 | $47.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,790 | $54.23 |
| Average (mean) | $87,550 | $42.09 |
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 | $6,744.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,372.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,112.69 |
| Weekly | $1,556.35 |
| Hourly | $38.91 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rockford, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $323,660 | $155.61 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Pharmacist | $134,190 | $64.52 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,720 | $61.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,340 | $48.72 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,740 | $46.51 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| Dentists, General | $214,670 | $103.21 |
| Occupational Therapist | $96,620 | $46.45 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $63,230 | $30.40 |
| Chiropractor | $74,190 | $35.67 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $168,210 | $80.87 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,800 | $61.44 |
| Radiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rockford, IL
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 Rockford, IL?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Rockford, IL metro area is $80,930 a year, or $38.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Rockford, IL?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Rockford, IL metro area earn at least $112,790 a year. The top 25% earn $99,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Rockford, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,320 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $77,600 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Rockford, IL?
About 4,620 registered nurses are employed in the Rockford, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.