Registered nurse salary in Illinois
The median registered nurse in Illinois earned $95,990 a year in 2025, $1,560 (2%) below the $97,550 national median. That ranks 21st of 51 states.
- Median yearly pay
- $95,990
- Average yearly pay
- $94,360
- Employed in Illinois
- 138,910
How Illinois compares
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates. Pay is before tax and does not adjust for cost of living, which is higher in some states than others.
Nursing pay in Illinois
| Role | Median yearly pay | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse | $95,990 | 138,910 |
| LPN or LVN | $75,000 | 17,440 |
| Nurse practitioner | $130,680 | 9,270 |
A nurse practitioner in Illinois earns a median $34,690 more than a registered nurse ($130,680 against $95,990). A registered nurse earns a median $20,990 more than an LPN or LVN here ($95,990 against $75,000).
Next steps
Common questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Illinois?
The median is $95,990 a year, according to BLS data for May 2025. Half of registered nurses in Illinois earn more and half earn less.
Is Illinois a high-paying state for registered nurses?
Illinois ranks 21st of 51 states on median pay for this job. The national median is $97,550, so Illinois pays 2% below it. The highest median is $140,270 in California.
How many registered nurses work in Illinois?
BLS counted 138,910 registered nurses employed in Illinois in May 2025.
Why is the average different from the median?
The median is the middle wage: half of workers earn less. The average adds every wage and divides, so a few very high earners pull it up. In Illinois the average is $94,360.
What do you need to work as a registered nurse in Illinois?
Illinois requires an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing and a passing NCLEX-RN score, with a license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation - Nursing.