Registered Nurse Salary in Champaign, IL: $95,021 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Champaign, IL earns a median $95,021/year (≈ $45.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Champaign's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $102,499 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $95,021 for registered nurses in Champaign, Illinois, the compensation landscape presents a noteworthy contrast to national trends. This local figure represents a deduction of 7.50% from the national median of $102,730, highlighting the market's pronounced divide between traveling and staff nursing roles. Salaries in this market range from $80,573 at the 10th percentile to a high of $128,215 for top earners, illustrating the pay spectrum that can depend substantially on experience, specialty, and assignment type. These insights are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data and projected to 2026, providing a clear picture of how much registered nurses can expect to earn in this central Illinois city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,573 | $38.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,773 | $39.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,021 | $45.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,099 | $50.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,215 | $61.65 |
Median Salary Position
7.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Champaign
In Champaign, IL, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,642 (2026 est.). At $95,021, the local median is 7.5% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Champaign: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Champaign Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Champaign median: $95,021/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Champaign Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $89,727 | +5.90% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | -7.50% less |
Registered Nurses in Champaign, IL earn a median of $95,021 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.50% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 5.90% above the Illinois state average of $89,727.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Champaign has a cost of living 7.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Champaign, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.704 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $95,021 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,499 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.87% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,210
2025 BLS Actual
$90,230
2026 Current Est.
$95,021
2019–2027 Growth
+66.2%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Champaign (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,021 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,067 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Champaign metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 49.9% from $60,210 (2019) to $90,230 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,067 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,857 (66.20%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Champaign 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $80,573 – $81,773 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,773 – $95,021 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,021 – $104,099 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,099 – $128,215 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Champaign
Employed registered nurses in Champaign number around 3,520, contributing to a robust local job market in healthcare. The cost of living index stands at 92.704, indicating a slightly lower-than-average expense for residents, which can enhance the purchasing power of nursing salaries here. Major healthcare employers such as acute care hospitals, surgical centers, and home health agencies offer competitive pay, particularly for specialty roles like ICU or emergency nursing, where wage premiums are often higher. Factors such as shift pay differentials, particularly for night and weekend shifts, as well as roles requiring specialty certifications and charge nurse responsibilities, can widen the gap between entry and advanced pay levels. For nurses seeking to maximize their earnings in this market, pursuing advanced certifications and being flexible with shift preferences can provide significant benefits amid a competitive landscape.
More salary data for Champaign, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $90,230 for registered nursesin the Champaign metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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