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Registered Nurse Salary in Chicago, IL

Registered Nurse salary data for Chicago, IL — adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.

Registered Nurse Salary in Chicago, IL — 2026

The median Registered Nurse salary in Chicago, IL is $90,950 per year ($7,579/month, $44/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 107, which is 7% above the national average.

Entry Level
$60K
$29/hr
Median
$91K
$44/hr
Senior
$118K
$57/hr
Top Earner
$135K
$65/hr

Registered Nurse Take-Home Pay in Chicago

Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)

Gross Annual$90,950
Federal Tax-$11,623
State Tax (5.0%)-$4,502
FICA (SS + Medicare)-$6,958
Annual Take-Home$67,867
Monthly Take-Home$5,656

Living Cost Comparison

Median Rent$1,750/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio23.1%
Median Home Price$320,000
Cost of Living Index107
City Median Salary$72,500
Registered Nurse vs City Median+$18,450

Registered Nurse Requirements

Education
Bachelor's Degree (BSN)
Experience
0-2 years
Job Growth
6.0% (2024-2034)

Key Skills

Patient CareIV TherapyEHR SystemsCritical ThinkingBLS/ACLS

Chicago Job Market Overview

Chicago, Illinois has a population of 2,696,555 and an unemployment rate of 4.2%. The top industries are Finance, Technology, Healthcare. The local job growth rate is 1.5%, and the average commute time is 35 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Chicago, IL?
The median Registered Nurse salary in Chicago, IL is $90,950 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 107. Entry-level Registered Nurses earn around $59,920, while senior-level professionals can earn $117,700 or more.
How much does a Registered Nurse take home in Chicago after taxes?
A Registered Nurse earning the median salary of $90,950 in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $67,867 per year ($5,656/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 25.4%.
Is Chicago a good city for Registered Nurses?
Chicago, IL has a cost of living index of 107 (above national average). Registered Nurses here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 4.2% and top industries include Finance, Technology, Healthcare.
What skills are needed for a Registered Nurse in Chicago?
Key skills for Registered Nurses include Patient Care, IV Therapy, EHR Systems, Critical Thinking, BLS/ACLS. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree (BSN). Valuable certifications include NCLEX-RN, BLS Certification, ACLS.
How does Registered Nurse salary in Chicago compare to the national average?
The national median Registered Nurse salary is $85,000. In Chicago, the adjusted salary is $90,950, which is 7.0% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Chicago, IL?

The median Registered Nurse salary in Chicago, IL is $90,950 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 107. Entry-level Registered Nurses earn around $59,920, while senior-level professionals can earn $117,700 or more.

How much does a Registered Nurse take home in Chicago after taxes?

A Registered Nurse earning the median salary of $90,950 in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $67,867 per year ($5,656/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 25.4%.

Is Chicago a good city for Registered Nurses?

Chicago, IL has a cost of living index of 107 (above national average). Registered Nurses here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 4.2% and top industries include Finance, Technology, Healthcare.

What skills are needed for a Registered Nurse in Chicago?

Key skills for Registered Nurses include Patient Care, IV Therapy, EHR Systems, Critical Thinking, BLS/ACLS. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree (BSN). Valuable certifications include NCLEX-RN, BLS Certification, ACLS.

How does Registered Nurse salary in Chicago compare to the national average?

The national median Registered Nurse salary is $85,000. In Chicago, the adjusted salary is $90,950, which is 7.0% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.