Registered Nurse salary in Chicago, IL
Median pay, Chicago metro
$100,490/year
about $48.31 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $82,640 – $108,430
Half of registered nurses in the Chicago metro area earn more than $100,490 a year and half earn less. That's 3% higher than the national median of $97,550, and ranks #17 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $77,410 | $37.22 |
| 25th | $82,640 | $39.73 |
| Median (50th) | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| 75th | $108,430 | $52.13 |
| 90th (top earners) | $119,260 | $57.34 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a registered nurse job in the Chicago metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $82,640 ($39.73/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $82,640 to $108,430 ($39.73 to $52.13/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $108,430 ($52.13/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Shift differentials for nights and weekends can add a lot on top of the base rate, so ask for them in writing.
- Sign-on bonuses often come with a clawback if you leave within one or two years. Check the terms before you count on it.
- Ask about nurse-to-patient ratios and mandatory overtime, since they shape the job far more than the posting suggests.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Chicago metro. Occupation: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.