Registered Nurses, Chicago
$100,490
Local median annual wage in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Middle half of earners roughly $82,640 to $108,430.
Local salary guide, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. Cost of living index (2024). Sources stay in methodology · disclaimer.
- vs US median
- +3.0%
- US median
- $97,550
- Cost of living (103.6) Based on U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data. Scores over 100 mean a city is more expensive than the U.S. national average.
- 103.6
- Local pay range The middle 50% of earners in this city make between these amounts, based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics surveys.
- $82,640 to $108,430
- Local jobs in field Approximate number of people working in this role locally, not a count of open positions.
- 100,240
- Job code
- 29-1141
Registered Nurses in Chicago pay a median $100,490 (May 2025), 3% above the US median of $97,550. At local prices (index 103.6), that median buys about what $96,998 buys at US-average prices.
What that pay buys
$100,490 in Chicago buys about what $96,998 buys at US-average prices (cost of living index 103.6, 2024). Housing & rent index is 112 vs overall 103.6 (US average = 100, 2024).
Find jobs
See current openings for Registered Nurses in Chicago.
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Registered Nurses in nearby metros
| Metro | Median | Local pay range | Cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $100,490 | $82,640 to $108,430 | 103.6 |
| Phoenix | $100,830 | $82,320 to $108,840 | 103.3 |
| San Francisco | $186,610 | $137,120 to $215,630 | 115.6 |
| Tulsa | $84,790 | $79,950 to $99,580 | 89.2 |
Local salary guide May 2025 where published for the metro.
FAQ
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Chicago?
- The median annual wage for Registered Nurses in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $100,490 (May 2025 local salary guide).
- How does Chicago pay compare to the US median for Registered Nurses?
- Local median pay is 3% above the national median of $97,550.
- How does cost of living change what that wage buys?
- The cost of living index for Chicago is 103.6 (US average = 100, 2024). The local median of $100,490 has about the same buying power as $96,998 at US-average prices.
- How current is this data?
- Wages use the local salary guide for May 2025. Price levels use the 2024 cost of living index. See methodology for source details.
What this covers
Includes
- Cost of living index for everyday expenses (housing, groceries & goods, services)
- Local salary guide: median pay, typical pay range, and jobs in the field where published
- Target salary math so you keep the same standard of living after a move
- Approximate single-filer state income tax take-home on compare pages (see rate sources on the page)
Does not include
- Local city taxes, credits, filing-status variants, or tax advice
- Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
- Job openings. “Local jobs in field” is how many people work in the role, not hiring demand
Technical source names (RPP, OEWS) and formulas live on the methodology page.
Local pay figures and cost of living indexes come from official government surveys. See methodology and disclaimer.