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Registered Nurse Salary in Rockford, IL — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Rockford's cost of living (index: 83). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Registered Nurse Salary in Rockford — Key Numbers

$71,438
Median Salary
$57,179
25th Percentile
$89,383
75th Percentile
$110,124
90th Percentile
National median (Registered Nurse)$86,070
vs. National median-17.0%
Rockford median household income$51,000
vs. City household income+40.1%

Cost of Living in Rockford

Cost of Living Index
83(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$780/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio13.1%
Annual rent cost$9,360
Median Home Price$145,000
Home Price / Salary2.0×
20% Down Payment$29,000
Years to save (20% rate)2.0 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 Rockford

5.6%
Unemployment Rate
345,000
Metro Population
20 min
Avg Commute
36.1
Median Age

Rockford has a metro population of 345,000, offering a growing job market with opportunities especially in established local industries. The 5.6% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for Rockford

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

Other Professions in Rockford

Physician$190,319Chief Executive Officer$174,300Dentist$145,673IT Manager$140,693Marketing Manager$130,825Lawyer$120,981

Registered Nurse Salary — Other Illinois Cities

Chicago, IL$98,120Peoria, IL$72,299

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated median salary for a Registered Nurse in Rockford is $71,438 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $86,070 adjusted by Rockford's cost of living index (83). The typical salary range runs from $57,179 (25th percentile) to $89,383 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $110,124.

Is Rockford affordable for a Registered Nurse?

On a $71,438 annual salary, a Registered Nurse in Rockford would spend approximately 13.1% of gross monthly income on median rent ($780/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Rockford relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $145,000 is 2.0× the annual salary.

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

Rockford's median household income is $51,000. A Registered Nurse earning the city-adjusted median of $71,438 earns 40.1% more than the typical Rockford 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.