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
$2,175/week
The average salary for a Travel Nurse in Chicago, IL is $2,175 per week. This is 8% lower than the Illinois average of $2,353.
Last updated on October 7, 2026. Based on 2,133 active jobs on Vivian.com in the last 7 days.
Travel Nurse salaries in Chicago, IL compared to State and National Averages
$2,175/week
Chicago, IL
1% lower than the US average.
$2,353/week
Illinois
6% higher than the US average.
$2,207/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
$2,482/week
This is 12% higher than the Chicago average of $2,175.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
$2,404/week
This is 10% higher than the Chicago average of $2,175.
Muskegon, Michigan
$2,152/week
This is 1% lower than the Chicago average of $2,175.
What type of Travel Nurses make the most money in Chicago?
Administrative earns the most among Travel Nursing specialties in Chicago, IL, averaging $3,221 per week, followed by Manager ($3,194) and Cardiac Cath Lab ($2,788). Pediatrics has the highest ceiling, with max weekly pay reaching $3,600. For comparison, the Chicago, IL average for Travel Nurses is $2,175 per week — Administrative earns 48% more.
| Specialty | Average Weekly Salary | Max Weekly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative | $3,221 | $3,221 |
| Manager | $3,194 | $3,456 |
| Cardiac Cath Lab | $2,788 | $3,532 |
| Hematology / Oncology | $2,640 | $2,640 |
| Pediatrics | $2,602 | $3,600 |
What are the highest paying Agencies for Travel Nurse jobs in Chicago?
Compunnel Healthcare pays Travel Nurses the most, averaging $3,405 per week, followed by Fusion Medical Staffing-Cath Lab ($3,029) and PEL/VIP ($2,955). PRIDE Health has the highest ceiling, with max weekly pay reaching $3,532. For comparison, the Chicago, IL average for Travel Nurses is $2,175 per week — Compunnel Healthcare pays 57% more.
| Average Weekly Salary | Max Weekly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Compunnel Healthcare | $3,405 | $3,450 |
| Fusion Medical Staffing-Cath Lab | $3,029 | $3,029 |
| PEL/VIP | $2,955 | $3,450 |
| HonorVet Technologies | $2,909 | $2,997 |
| OR Staffing Solutions | $2,828 | $3,176 |
| Trusted Talent | $2,751 | $2,751 |
| Springboard Healthcare | $2,694 | $3,156 |
| GLC On-The-Go | $2,642 | $2,926 |
| Aptiva Healthcare | $2,630 | $2,630 |
| PRIDE Health | $2,612 | $3,532 |
Last updated on October 7, 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
- TotalMed RN and 3 others
UP TO $3,456/wk
Estimated pay packageOR RN
- Chicago, Illinois
- Provident Hospital of Cook County
- TotalMed RN and 13 others
UP TO $3,168/wk
Estimated pay packagePediatric Stepdown RN
- Chicago, Illinois
- La Rabida Children's Hospital
- American Traveler and 5 others
UP TO $2,902/wk
Estimated pay packageTravel Nurse RN - PICU - Pediatric Intensive Care
- Chicago, Illinois
- John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County
- TotalMed RN and 6 others
UP TO $2,722/wk
Estimated pay packagePediatric Stepdown RN
- Chicago, Illinois
- La Rabida Children's Hospital
- Premier Medical Staffing Services and 4 others
UP TO $2,654/wk
Estimated pay packageGet alerts about new jobs and salary trends in Chicago, IL
Be the first to know about new jobs for Registered Nurses with the salary that suits you.
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.
Featured Blog Posts
Featured Blog Posts
