Registered Nurse Salary in Oak Lawn, IL: $87,452 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Oak Lawn, IL earns a median $87,452/year (≈ $42.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Oak Lawn's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $90,064 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Lawn, Illinois, registered nurses can expect a competitive median annual salary of $87,452 in 2026, which reflects a significant investment in healthcare talents within the region. Those in this profession will find salaries ranging from $63,063 at the lower end to $122,826 for experienced or specialized roles. These figures stem from projections based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions. While this median salary is lower than the national average of $102,730, it is evident that Oak Lawn's job market is shaped significantly by demand for skilled nursing professionals, especially during nights and weekends when shift differentials can enhance earnings substantially.
About the Oak Lawn Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,063 | $30.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,659 | $33.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,452 | $42.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,857 | $48.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,826 | $59.05 |
Median Salary Position
14.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Lawn
In Oak Lawn, IL, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,763 (2026 est.). At $87,452, the local median is 14.87% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Lawn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Lawn Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Oak Lawn median: $87,452/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Lawn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $89,786 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -14.87% less |
Registered Nurses in Oak Lawn, IL earn a median of $87,452 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.87% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $89,786.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Lawn 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.
Oak Lawn, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $87,452 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,064 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,399
2025 BLS Actual
$83,042
2026 Current Est.
$87,452
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Oak Lawn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,399 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,127 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,059 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,141 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,269 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,425 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,042 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,452 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,095 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Lawn metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $62,399 (2019) to $83,042 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,095 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,696 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Lawn 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) | $63,063 – $70,659 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,659 – $87,452 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,452 – $100,857 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,857 – $122,826 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Oak Lawn
The job market for registered nurses in Oak Lawn is relatively compact, with only 14 nurses currently employed, indicating a niche but critical healthcare presence. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, local salaries offer a better purchasing power compared to higher-cost areas, although they still require competitive pay strategies. The highest wages often come from hospital systems that operate within acute care settings, such as ICUs and emergency departments, as well as specialized surgical centers. The disparity in pay within the region is influenced by several factors, including shift differentials that reward night and weekend work, as well as incentives for specialty certifications. For those looking to maximize their registered nurse pay in Oak Lawn, strategically seeking positions in high-demand areas and considering additional certifications can significantly enhance both compensation and career advancement opportunities.
More salary data for Oak Lawn, 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 $83,042 for registered nursesin the Oak Lawn 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 Oak Lawn 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