Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Galesburg, IL: $40.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Galesburg, IL runs $40.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,134 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Galesburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,086 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Galesburg, Illinois, the registered nurse hourly pay stands at $40.93, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.39. This difference highlights the economic landscape for nurses in the region, affecting both full-time and part-time opportunities. For those working on a part-time schedule of three days a week, or per-diem RNs, the hourly rate lends itself to flexible earning potential across various settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home health initiatives. Galesburg’s hourly range falls between $30.17 for entry-level positions (P10) and $56.71 for seasoned professionals at the P90 ranking. This figures point to a structured career path where seasoned RNs are more capable of negotiating better pay, while newcomers may need to start closer to the lower end of the scale before advancing.
About the Galesburg 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) | $30.17 | $241.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.17 | $273.38 |
| Median (P50) | $40.93 | $327.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.06 | $376.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.71 | $453.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Galesburg
Based on $40.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.93/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Galesburg, IL can expect to earn approximately $85,143 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,121. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Galesburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Galesburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,637.36 | $7,095 | $85,143 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $982.42 | $4,257 | $51,086 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $654.94 | $2,838 | $34,057 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Galesburg) | $40.93 |
| 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 Galesburg, IL earn a median of $85,134 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.13% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 5.10% below the Illinois state average of $89,709.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.93/hr = $51,086/year (purchasing power: $52,611).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,143/year (purchasing power: $87,686).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Galesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Galesburg grew 33.1% from $29.21/hr (2019) to $38.87/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.11/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 Galesburg 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 Galesburg
Analyzing the implications of these pay rates reveals essential insights for registered nurses in Galesburg. A part-time nurse working 24 hours weekly could expect an annual take-home pay that falls well below that of full-time counterparts, potentially affecting long-term financial stability. Per-diem opportunities can present lucrative options, with rates ranging from $50 to $80 per hour, particularly for specialized roles or travel nursing contracts that may offer $2,000 to $4,500 weekly, including stipends. In Galesburg, hourly rates differ across various employers, from acute care hospital systems to outpatient facilities. While some may opt for lower wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may prefer higher hourly rates without such perks. Nurses should negotiate contracts based on their desired balance of hourly pay and benefits, carefully considering how this impacts their financial health and professional growth within this evolving job market.
More salary data for Galesburg, 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 Galesburg. 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 Galesburg 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