Travel Nurse Salary Guide: Chicago, IL
Home to Wrigley Field, Millennium Park and the Magnificent Mile, living in Chicago has plenty to offer. For registered nurses (RNs), the prospect of increased earnings makes the city even more attractive than all its famous attractions. RNs tend to earn more in the Windy City than in nearby markets, and you could bump your earning potential even further if you have experience in an in-demand specialty. This guide provides in-depth RN salary data for Chicago and several other markets, making it easier to determine how your RN salary in Chicago stacks up against wages in other areas.
Average Travel Nurse Salary
$2,181/week
The average salary for a Travel Nurse in Chicago, IL is $2,181 per week. This is 5% lower than the Illinois average of $2,294.
Last updated on August 22, 2026. Based on 1,485 active jobs on Vivian.com in the last 7 days.
Travel Nurse salaries in Chicago, IL compared to State and National Averages
$2,181/week
Chicago, IL
This is equal to the US average
$2,294/week
Illinois
5% higher than the US average.
$2,186/week
United States
How Travel Nurse Salaries in Chicago Compare to Other Cities
How Travel Nurse Salaries in Chicago Compare to Other Cities
Rockford, Illinois
$2,269/week
This is 4% higher than the Chicago average of $2,181.
Marion, Illinois
$2,309/week
This is 6% higher than the Chicago average of $2,181.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
$2,283/week
This is 4% higher than the Chicago average of $2,181.
What type of Travel Nurses make the most money in Chicago?
| Specialty | Average Weekly Salary | Max Weekly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiac Cath Lab | $3,075 | $3,610 |
| OR - Operating Room | $2,737 | $3,185 |
| CVOR | $2,700 | $2,886 |
| Oncology | $2,608 | $2,608 |
What are the highest paying Agencies for Travel Nurse jobs in Chicago?
| Average Weekly Salary | Max Weekly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Seven Healthcare | $3,600 | $3,600 |
| Springboard Healthcare | $3,152 | $3,283 |
| Fusion Medical Staffing-Cath Lab | $3,079 | $3,079 |
| Epic Travel Staffing | $3,024 | $3,024 |
| Healthcare Support | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| HonorVet Technologies | $2,797 | $3,112 |
| Care Career | $2,686 | $3,573 |
| GLC On-The-Go | $2,659 | $2,659 |
| Treva Workforce | $2,628 | $2,628 |
| CrossMed | $2,575 | $3,013 |
Last updated on August 22, 2026. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com.
Top Travel Nurse Jobs
Nurse Manager - NICU/PICU/Pediatrics
- Chicago, Illinois
- John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County
- TNAA TotalMed RN and 4 others
UP TO $3,648/wk
Estimated pay packagePractice Manager
- Chicago, Illinois
- ILARL Ascension Saint Joseph
- Host Healthcare and 6 others
UP TO $2,520/wk
Estimated pay packagePACU RN
- Chicago, Illinois
- Resurrection Medical Center
- American Consultants and 21 others
UP TO $2,178/wk
Estimated pay packageCritical Care RN
- Chicago, Illinois
- Resurrection Medical Center
- American Traveler and 21 others
UP TO $1,960/wk
Estimated pay packageNurse Manager - NICU/PICU/Pediatrics
- Chicago, IL
- Prime Staffing
- 5x8 hrs
$3,648/week
Estimated pay packageGet alerts about new jobs and salary trends in Chicago, IL
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Tips for Increasing Your Pay
Travel Contracts
If you’re looking for more flexibility, accepting travel contracts is another good way to increase your income. Staff roles in Chicago paying an average of $37.22 per hour equals $1,488.80 per week if you work a 40-hour schedule. That’s $870.20 less than the average weekly salary for a travel contract paying an average of $2,359. Over 13 weeks, that’s a difference of nearly $11,313, making travel nursing a rewarding way to increase your RN salary in Chicago.
High-Paying Nursing Specialties in Chicago
For travel roles, nurses with OR experience had the highest hourly wages during this period, particularly those with experience in cardiovascular OR (CVOR) nursing. Travel CVOR nurses earned up to $4,424 per week, while travel OR nurses earned up to $4,382 weekly. Contracts in the pediatric intensive care unit and pediatric postanesthesia care unit also had higher-than-average salaries. These travel roles paid between $4,010 and $4,054 per week.
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