Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Gurnee, IL: $42.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Gurnee, IL runs $42.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,442 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Gurnee's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,070 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Gurnee, Illinois, the current registered nurse hourly pay stands at $42.52, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.39 per hour. This disparity presents a unique situation for nurses in the area, particularly for part-time workers who may select to work three days a week. With this hourly rate, they can expect a fairly stable income while enjoying a work-life balance. For per-diem registered nurses, the hourly dynamics can shift considerably, as they often earn higher rates depending on their specialty and the demand in local healthcare settings. Gurnee offers a diverse range of employment opportunities across various settings such as hospital ICUs, emergency departments, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. The hourly earnings range from $30.51 at the entry-level up to $56.41 for top earners, illustrating the potential for growth in this vital profession.
About the Gurnee 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) | $30.51 | $244.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.88 | $279.03 |
| Median (P50) | $42.52 | $340.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.38 | $379.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.41 | $451.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gurnee
Based on $42.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.52/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gurnee, IL can expect to earn approximately $88,450 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,029. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gurnee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gurnee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,700.97 | $7,371 | $88,450 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,020.58 | $4,423 | $53,070 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $680.39 | $2,948 | $35,380 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Gurnee) | $42.52 |
| 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 Gurnee, IL earn a median of $88,442 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.91% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $89,789.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.52/hr = $53,070/year (purchasing power: $54,655).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,450/year (purchasing power: $91,092).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Gurnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Gurnee grew 33.1% from $30.34/hr (2019) to $40.38/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.78/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 Gurnee 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 Gurnee
When considering part-time work, a registered nurse in Gurnee working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,083 annually, which is significantly less than what a full-time RN would make. This can appeal to those who seek flexibility, but it does limit overall income potential. For those exploring per-diem or travel nursing roles, the reality is strikingly different. Per-diem registered nurse pay in Gurnee can range from $50 to $80 per hour depending on the specialty, while travel nursing contracts can provide weekly pay ranging from $2,000 to as high as $8,000 for critical positions in high-demand areas. Moreover, the shift in hourly compensation can vary greatly across employer types, with hospital systems often offering more consistent benefits compared to private practices or agencies. Some registered nurses might opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for the security of health insurance, highlighting a common trade-off. Nurses in Gurnee would benefit from becoming adept negotiators, considering both hourly rates and the nature of benefits included in their compensation packages when exploring job opportunities.
More salary data for Gurnee, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for registered nurses in Gurnee in 2026?
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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 Gurnee. 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 Gurnee 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