Registered Nurse Salary Guide: Illinois
Average Registered Nurse Salary
$49.26/hour
The average salary for a Registered Nurse in Illinois is $49.26 per hour. This is 3% lower than the US average of $50.71.
Last updated on October 8, 2026. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.
Registered Nurse salaries in Illinois compared to National Averages
$49.26/hour
Illinois
3% lower than the US average.
$50.71/hour
United States
What cities in Illinois pay the most for Registered Nurses?
Belleville, Illinois pays Registered Nurses the most, averaging $50 per hour, followed by Evanston, Illinois ($37) and Highland Park, Illinois ($37). Belleville, Illinois also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $58. For comparison, the Illinois average for Registered Nurses is $49 per hour — Belleville, Illinois pays 1% more.
| City | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Belleville, Illinois | $50 | $58 |
| Evanston, Illinois | $37 | $50 |
| Highland Park, Illinois | $37 | $50 |
What type of Registered Nurses make the most money in Illinois?
OR - Operating Room earns the most among Nursing specialties in Illinois, averaging $58 per hour, followed by Case Management ($56) and Nursing Home ($52). OR - Operating Room also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $64. For comparison, the Illinois average for Registered Nurses is $49 per hour — OR - Operating Room earns 17% more.
| Specialty | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| OR - Operating Room | $58 | $64 |
| Case Management | $56 | $56 |
| Nursing Home | $52 | $54 |
| ED - Emergency Department | $52 | $62 |
| Long Term Care | $51 | $54 |
| Rehabilitation | $51 | $54 |
| Skilled Nursing | $50 | $54 |
| Surgical ICU Stepdown | $50 | $54 |
How does the pay for Registered Nurses in Illinois compare to nearby states?
Wisconsin pays Registered Nurses the most, averaging $60 per hour, followed by Minnesota ($59) and Kansas ($53). Wisconsin also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $65. For comparison, the Illinois average for Registered Nurses is $49 per hour — Wisconsin pays 21% more.
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $60 | $65 |
| Minnesota | $59 | $65 |
| Kansas | $53 | $59 |
| Missouri | $49 | $62 |
| Ohio | $47 | $51 |
| Iowa | $46 | $50 |
| Kentucky | $44 | $46 |
| Michigan | $39 | $46 |
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Registered Nurse jobs in Illinois?
CoreCivic pays Registered Nurses the most, averaging $57 per hour, followed by Patterns Hiring - Perm ($46) and Maximum Healthcare Solutions ($46). Patterns Hiring - Perm has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $72. For comparison, the Illinois average for Registered Nurses is $49 per hour — CoreCivic pays 15% more.
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| CoreCivic | $57 | $57 |
| Patterns Hiring - Perm | $46 | $72 |
| Maximum Healthcare Solutions | $46 | $46 |
| WellBe Senior Medical | $46 | $46 |
| TK Health | $45 | $45 |
| Lila Medlink LLC | $44 | $44 |
| Medical Solutions Direct Hire | $44 | $54 |
| Perm Staff Jobs | $42 | $53 |
| Elara Caring | $42 | $42 |
| BJC HealthCare | $41 | $51 |
Last updated on October 8, 2026. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.
Top Registered Nurse Jobs
Surgery Manager
- Patterns Hiring - Perm
- Evergreen Park, IL
- 5x8 hrs
- Sign-On Bonus
$66-77/hour
Emergency Department RN Manager
- Memorial Hospital East
- Shiloh, IL
$92K-152K/year
Registered Nurse (RN) - Director of Nursing
- Heartland Hospice
- Fairview Heights, IL
$100K-135K/year
Registered Nurse (RN) - Director of Nursing
- Heartland Hospice
- Buffalo Grove, IL
$100K-135K/year
Registered Nurse - Correctional
- Midwest Regional Reception Center
- Broadview, IL
$50-64/hour
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