Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Wheeling, IL: $42.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Wheeling, IL runs $42.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,606 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Wheeling's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,558 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheeling, Illinois, the projected median registered nurse hourly pay is $42.11, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.39. For those opting to work part-time, perhaps three days a week, this hourly rate provides a solid income for the flexible lifestyle many nurses desire. On a per-diem basis, registered nurses can expect somewhat variable compensation depending on their specialty and employer; rates often fall in the range of $31.71 to $59.08 per hour. Whether working in critical care units, emergency departments, outpatient clinics, or providing home health services, the opportunities are wide-ranging. However, entry-level positions will generally command lower pay at around $31.71, while experienced nurses can earn significantly more, particularly in high-demand specialties.
About the Wheeling 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) | $31.71 | $253.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.69 | $285.52 |
| Median (P50) | $42.11 | $336.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.97 | $391.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.08 | $472.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheeling
Based on $42.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.11/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheeling, IL can expect to earn approximately $87,596 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,536. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wheeling.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheeling
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,684.54 | $7,300 | $87,596 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,010.72 | $4,380 | $52,558 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $673.82 | $2,920 | $35,038 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Wheeling) | $42.11 |
| 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 Wheeling, IL earn a median of $87,606 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.72% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 2.40% below the Illinois state average of $89,761.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.11/hr = $52,558/year (purchasing power: $54,127).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,596/year (purchasing power: $90,212).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Wheeling grew 33.1% from $30.05/hr (2019) to $39.99/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.35/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 Wheeling 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 Wheeling
Opportunities for part-time and per diem work in Wheeling can significantly influence a nurse's overall earnings. A registered nurse working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate would bring home approximately $52,479 annually, while full-time nurses potentially earn higher salaries. Per diem registered nurse pay in Wheeling often ranges from $50 to $80 per hour, especially in specialized areas like ICU or emergency care, making these positions attractive for those needing greater flexibility. Travel nursing also remains appealing, with contracts offering rates between $2,000 and $4,500 weekly, with crisis contracts occasionally reaching $5,000 to $8,000. Additionally, hourly rates vary across different types of employers; for instance, hospital systems may offer more competitive compensation paired with benefits, while agencies might pay higher hourly rates with fewer assurances. Registered nurses in Wheeling should weigh the benefits of higher hourly pay against the security of full-time positions with health insurance, remembering to negotiate effectively to match their experience and specialty to the compensation standards in the region.
More salary data for Wheeling, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for registered nurses in Wheeling in 2026?
How much do part-time registered nurses make in Wheeling?
Are registered nurses in Wheeling paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time registered nurse make per year in Wheeling?
Do registered nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Wheeling?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 Wheeling. 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 Wheeling 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