Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL: $50.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Chicago, IL runs $50.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,826 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,492 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Chicago, IL, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $50.88, which is slightly above the national median of $49.39. This rate offers a robust earning potential for part-time and per-diem nurses, allowing those who work three days a week to still receive a respectable paycheck while balancing other personal or professional commitments. Registered nurses who enter the field can expect hourly wages starting at around $39.20, while experienced professionals in specialized roles may earn as much as $60.38 per hour. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the competitive nature of the healthcare sector in Chicago and the demand for skilled nursing professionals in various environments, such as hospital units, intensive care units, outpatient centers, and home health settings.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.20 | $313.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.84 | $334.72 |
| Median (P50) | $50.88 | $407.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.90 | $439.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.38 | $483.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicago
Based on $50.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.88/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicago, IL can expect to earn approximately $105,821 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,050. With a cost-of-living index of 103.59 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,035.01 | $8,818 | $105,821 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,221.01 | $5,291 | $63,492 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $814.00 | $3,527 | $42,328 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Chicago) | $50.88 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Chicago, IL earn a median of $105,826 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.01% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 17.90% above the Illinois state average of $89,759.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.88/hr = $63,492/year (purchasing power: $61,289).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,821/year (purchasing power: $102,148).
CoL index: 103.595 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$36.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Chicago grew 32.8% from $36.39/hr (2019) to $48.31/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.58/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Chicago
When considering part-time positions, a registered nurse working 24 hours a week can take home approximately $63,000 annually, considerably less than their full-time counterparts but still a substantial income. Per diem registered nurse pay in Chicago tends to fall between $50-$80 per hour, depending on specialization, which provides a flexible option for those looking to boost their income. Travel nursing has also gained traction, with contracts offering weekly pay ranging from $2,000 to $4,500, peaking in shortage areas where crisis contracts can net as much as $5,000 to $8,000 a week. While hospitals may offer more consistent salaries and benefits, nursing agencies tend to command higher rates for flexibility. Nurses must weigh the pros and cons of accepting a lower hourly wage with benefits at a structured facility versus the potentially higher earnings without benefits in agency roles. Those negotiating their rates should be ready to discuss shift differentials for nights or weekends, as well as any relevant specialty certifications that may enhance their bargaining position in a vibrant labor market like Chicago.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Chicago. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov