Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Elgin, IL: $50.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Elgin, IL runs $50.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,882 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Elgin's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,927 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elgin, Illinois, registered nurses can expect a median hourly pay of $50.42, slightly above the national median of $49.39. This hourly rate allows for a solid income for those working in various healthcare settings, including hospital floors, ICUs, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. For nurses working part-time, say three days a week, this translates to significant earnings, depending on the specific environment they choose. Entry-level RNs start closer to $36.18, while experienced professionals can earn up to $72.94 per hour. The salary estimates are informed by 2026 projections derived from the 2025 BLS data, indicating healthy growth within this profession in Elgin.
About the Elgin 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) | $36.18 | $289.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.74 | $325.96 |
| Median (P50) | $50.42 | $403.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.15 | $473.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.94 | $583.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elgin
Based on $50.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.42/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elgin, IL can expect to earn approximately $104,879 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,507. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elgin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elgin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,016.90 | $8,740 | $104,879 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,210.14 | $5,244 | $62,927 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $806.76 | $3,496 | $41,951 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Elgin) | $50.42 |
| 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 Elgin, IL earn a median of $104,882 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.09% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 16.90% above the Illinois state average of $89,720.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.42/hr = $62,927/year (purchasing power: $64,807).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,879/year (purchasing power: $108,011).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Elgin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Elgin grew 33.1% from $35.98/hr (2019) to $47.88/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.10/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 Elgin 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 Elgin
Per diem opportunities add another layer of earning potential in registered nurse hourly pay in Elgin. For instance, a nurse opting to work just three 12-hour shifts weekly could take home a substantial income annually, albeit less than their full-time counterparts. Those engaged in per diem or agency positions can see varied pay, typically billing $50-$80 per hour depending on specialty and demand. Travel nurses, meanwhile, may command even higher rates, with weekly contracts reaching $2,000-$4,500, especially during peak needs like crisis staffing in ICUs. Hourly wages also fluctuate by employer type; while hospital systems usually offer competitive rates, home health agencies may provide lower pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance. For registered nurses in Elgin, understanding this breadth of hourly compensation opens doors for strategic career choices about work environments that align with both financial aspirations and personal lifestyle needs.
More salary data for Elgin, 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 Elgin. 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 Elgin 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