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Registered Nurse Salary in Chicago, IL — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Chicago's cost of living (index: 114). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Registered Nurse Salary in Chicago — Key Numbers

$98,120
Median Salary
$78,535
25th Percentile
$122,767
75th Percentile
$151,255
90th Percentile
National median (Registered Nurse)$86,070
vs. National median+14.0%
Chicago median household income$70,100
vs. City household income+40.0%

Cost of Living in Chicago

Cost of Living Index
114(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$2,288/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio28.0%
Annual rent cost$27,456
Median Home Price$315,000
Home Price / Salary3.2×
20% Down Payment$63,000
Years to save (20% rate)3.2 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Chicago

4.6%
Unemployment Rate
9,560,000
Metro Population
31 min
Avg Commute
36.7
Median Age

Chicago has a metro population of 9,560,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 4.6% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for Chicago

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Cost of Living — Chicago
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Registered Nurse Salary in Illinois
Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Chicago

Physician$261,402Chief Executive Officer$239,400Dentist$200,081IT Manager$193,241Marketing Manager$179,687Lawyer$166,166

Registered Nurse Salary — Other Illinois Cities

Rockford, IL$71,438Peoria, IL$72,299

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Registered Nurse make in Chicago, IL?

The estimated median salary for a Registered Nurse in Chicago is $98,120 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $86,070 adjusted by Chicago's cost of living index (114). The typical salary range runs from $78,535 (25th percentile) to $122,767 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $151,255.

Is Chicago affordable for a Registered Nurse?

On a $98,120 annual salary, a Registered Nurse in Chicago would spend approximately 28.0% of gross monthly income on median rent ($2,288/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Chicago relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $315,000 is 3.2× the annual salary.

How does a Registered Nurse's salary compare to Chicago's overall income?

Chicago's median household income is $70,100. A Registered Nurse earning the city-adjusted median of $98,120 earns 40.0% more than the typical Chicago household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Registered Nurse — NationalRegistered Nurse in IllinoisAll Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.