Registered Nurse Salary in Downers Grove, IL: $85,621 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Downers Grove, IL earns a median $85,621/year (≈ $41.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Downers Grove's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $88,178 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Downers Grove, Illinois, registered nurses can anticipate a median annual salary of $85,621 in 2026, reflecting local estimates derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional costs. The salary range for RNs varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at about $63,913, while experienced nurses may earn as much as $119,558. The city’s compensation structure is influenced by various factors, including shift differentials, particularly for those working nights and weekends, which can significantly enhance overall earnings. These additional compensations, coupled with the growing demand for healthcare professionals in the area, position registered nurses favorably within the local job market.
About the Downers Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,913 | $30.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,069 | $34.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,621 | $41.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,027 | $47.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,558 | $57.48 |
Median Salary Position
16.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Downers Grove
In Downers Grove, IL, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,645 (2026 est.). At $85,621, the local median is 16.65% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Downers Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Downers Grove Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Downers Grove median: $85,621/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Downers Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $89,750 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -16.65% less |
Registered Nurses in Downers Grove, IL earn a median of $85,621 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.65% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $89,750.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Downers Grove has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Downers Grove, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $85,621 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $88,178 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,093
2025 BLS Actual
$81,304
2026 Current Est.
$85,621
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Downers Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,093 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,785 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,676 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,694 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,736 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,743 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,304 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,621 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,168 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Downers Grove metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $61,093 (2019) to $81,304 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,168 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,075 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Downers Grove 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) | $63,913 – $72,069 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,069 – $85,621 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,621 – $99,027 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,027 – $119,558 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Downers Grove
The registered nurse job market in Downers Grove is relatively modest, with only 11 RNs currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 97.1, suggesting that while salaries are lower than the national median, the local economic environment allows for reasonable take-home purchasing power. Among the area’s employers, acute care hospital systems and surgical specialty centers tend to offer the highest pay, thanks to complexities associated with critical care that require specialized skills. Earnings disparities may arise from factors such as shift differentials where night shifts add approximately $3 to $7 per hour and weekend work typically yields an extra $3 to $5. RNs aiming to maximize their earnings should consider obtaining specialty certifications or pursuing positions in high-demand areas such as ICU or emergency departments, which can also offer substantial stipends for experienced nurses.
More salary data for Downers Grove, 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 $81,304 for registered nursesin the Downers Grove 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
Salary data for Downers Grove 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