Registered Nurse Salary in Chicago, IL: $105,826 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Chicago, IL earns a median $105,826/year (≈ $50.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $102,154 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.9% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, registered nurses can anticipate a competitive compensation package as the projected median annual salary for 2026 is set at $105,826. This figure is slightly above the national median for the same year, which is $102,730, reflecting a local job market that acknowledges the rigorous demands of healthcare. Salary ranges for registered nurses in the area span from $81,520 at the 10th percentile to $125,593 at the 90th percentile, suggesting significant opportunities for seasoned professionals and those willing to work shifts during nights or weekends, which are often compensated at higher rates due to shift differentials. This robust wage framework is supported by data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting the effectiveness of Chicago’s healthcare sector in attracting and retaining talent through financial incentives.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,520 | $39.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,028 | $41.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,826 | $50.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,188 | $54.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,593 | $60.38 |
Median Salary Position
3.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,073 (2026 est.). At $105,826, the local median is 3.01% above the national median of $102,730.
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How Chicago Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Chicago median: $105,826/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $89,759 | +17.90% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | +3.01% more |
Registered Nurses in Chicago, IL earn a median of $105,826 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.01% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 17.90% above the Illinois state average of $89,759.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $105,826 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $102,154 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,700
2025 BLS Actual
$100,490
2026 Current Est.
$105,826
2019–2027 Growth
+47.2%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,826 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,445 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 32.7% from $75,700 (2019) to $100,490 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,445 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,745 (47.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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) | $81,520 – $87,028 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,028 – $105,826 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,826 – $114,188 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,188 – $125,593 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Chicago
With 100,240 registered nurses currently working in the Chicago area, the local job market is well-established, offering a range of positions in hospitals, ambulatory clinics, and home health agencies. However, the cost of living index stands at 103.595, slightly above the national average, which can impact the purchasing power of RNs in Chicago. Among the various employers, hospital systems tend to offer some of the highest compensation, particularly in specialized environments like acute care or intensive care units. Factors contributing to the variance in salaries include shift differentials that may add $3 to $7 per hour for nights, and an additional $3 to $5 for weekends, alongside incentives for specialty certifications and charge nurse duties. To optimize earnings, registered nurses might consider pursuing certifications that align with high-demand specialties while also exploring travel nursing opportunities, which continue to offer favorable rates, particularly in high-cost markets like Chicago, IL.
More salary data for Chicago, 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 $100,490 for registered nursesin the Chicago 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