Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in DeKalb, IL: $41.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in DeKalb, IL runs $41.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,359 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against DeKalb's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,822 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In DeKalb, Illinois, the registered nurse hourly pay is projected to reach $41.52 in 2026. This is notably lower than the national hourly median, which stands at $49.39. For part-time registered nurses working three days a week, typically around 24 hours, this salary translates to about $1,000 each week. Per-diem nurses operating in various environments—such as hospital floors, ICU units, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics—can expect to earn within an hourly range that starts at $31.57 for entry-level positions and can go up to $58.66 for the top earners. This compensation reflects the competitive landscape of healthcare, where hourly rates are estimated from broader annual salary data, emphasizing the integral role of both experience and specialization in determining pay.
About the DeKalb Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.57 | $252.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.37 | $282.99 |
| Median (P50) | $41.52 | $332.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.98 | $367.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.66 | $469.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in DeKalb
Based on $41.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.52/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in DeKalb, IL can expect to earn approximately $86,369 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,828. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in DeKalb.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in DeKalb
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,660.95 | $7,197 | $86,369 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $996.57 | $4,318 | $51,822 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $664.38 | $2,879 | $34,548 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (DeKalb) | $41.52 |
| 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 DeKalb, IL earn a median of $86,359 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.94% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $89,771.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.52/hr = $51,822/year (purchasing power: $53,369).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,369/year (purchasing power: $88,949).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in DeKalb (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in DeKalb grew 33.1% from $29.63/hr (2019) to $39.43/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.73/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 DeKalb 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 DeKalb
When considering the financial prospects for registered nurses in DeKalb, several important factors come into play. A part-time nurse working a typical schedule may earn around $52,000 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts, highlighting the financial trade-offs between full-time work and personal flexibility. For those exploring per diem or agency positions, the potential earning varies dramatically; rates can range from $50 to $80 per hour, especially for specialized roles. Additionally, employers such as acute care hospitals, outpatient clinics, and travel nursing agencies may offer different rates that could influence total compensation. Often, nurses must weigh the benefits of lower hourly wages against comprehensive health insurance offerings, which can be especially notable at larger healthcare systems. Practical negotiation skills are essential in this market, allowing RNs to advocate effectively for fair compensation, particularly in a city like DeKalb where the cost of living sits below the national average.
More salary data for DeKalb, 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 DeKalb. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for DeKalb is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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