🏥 Registered Nurse Salary
Registered Nurse Salary in Chicago, IL (2026)
Registered Nurses (RNs) provide patient care in hospitals, clinics, schools, and other healthcare settings.
Median Annual Salary
$90,810
in Chicago · BLS OEWS
Real Purchasing Power
$85,908
adjusted for local cost of living
National Rank
#92
among cities with BLS data
Registered Nurses in Chicago
The median annual salary for a Registered Nurse in Chicago, IL is $90,810 per year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. This works out to approximately $7,568/month or $44/hour.
Compared to the median across all surveyed cities ($98,190), Chicago pays 8% less than the typical city.
Chicago has a cost of living index of 105.7 (US average = 100), so higher local costs reduce your real purchasing power. In inflation-adjusted terms, $90,810 in Chicago is equivalent to $85,908 in a city at the US average cost of living.
BLS wage data is collected at the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) level, so this figure represents the Chicago metro area, not just the city itself.
Top 10 Cities for Registered Nurses by Salary
| Rank | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $174,370 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $174,370 |
| 3 | Berkeley, CA | $174,370 |
| 4 | Roseville, CA | $154,510 |
| 5 | Roseville, MI | $154,510 |
| 6 | Folsom, CA | $154,510 |
| 7 | Roseville, MN | $154,510 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $154,510 |
| 9 | Chula Vista, CA | $133,790 |
| 10 | Carlsbad, CA | $133,790 |
Source: BLS OEWS · Metro-level data
Other Occupations in Chicago
| Occupation | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $127,960 |
| 📚Elementary School Teacher | $73,830 |
| ⚡Electrician | $91,560 |
| 📊Accountant | $89,490 |
Full cost of living profile for Chicago
See median rent, home values, cost of living index, air quality, and more for Chicago.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median Registered Nurse salary in Chicago?
The median annual salary for a Registered Nurse in Chicago, IL is $90,810 per year, according to BLS OEWS data.
How does Chicago Registered Nurse pay compare nationally?
Chicago Registered Nurse pay ($90,810) is 8% below the median across surveyed cities ($98,190).
Does cost of living affect Registered Nurse salaries in Chicago?
Yes. Chicago has a cost of living index of 105.7 (US average = 100). After adjusting for local prices, a $90,810 salary in Chicago has the purchasing power of approximately $85,908 in an average-cost city.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) · Methodology