Last Updated: April 2026
Chicago RN Salary 2026: What Registered Nurses Earn at Northwestern, Rush & Beyond
The average registered nurse salary in Chicago is $83,580/year ($40.18/hour)in 2026 — about 6% below the national mean of approximately $89,000 but well above the Illinois state average of $80,190. Chicago's academic medical centers — Northwestern, Rush, and U of C — push senior specialty nurses past $108,000, while suburban systems compete hard with sign-on bonuses hitting $18,000 for critical care.
Chicago RN Salary at a Glance (2026)
Chicago RN Salary by Experience Level
| Experience Level | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0–2 yrs) | $67,800 – $76,200 | $32.60 – $36.60/hr |
| Mid-Career (5–10 yrs) | $85,400 – $99,200 | $41.10 – $47.70/hr |
| Senior (10+ yrs) | $99,600 – $121,000 | $47.90 – $58.20/hr |
| Top 10% earners | $126,800+ | $61.00+/hr |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin MSA + NurseSalaryIntel 2026 projections
Chicago RN Pay by Hospital
Chicago's hospital landscape is anchored by nationally ranked academic medical centers on the North Side, mid-sized community systems in the suburbs, and Cook County Health serving the safety-net population. Pay varies by ~$30,000 across the spectrum.
Top Chicago Hospitals — RN Base Pay 2026
| Hospital / System | Base RN Range | Notable |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital | $81,400 – $108,600 | Sign-on: $10K–$18K |
| Rush University Medical Center | $79,800 – $104,500 | Sign-on: $8K–$15K |
| University of Chicago Medicine | $80,200 – $106,300 | Academic premium |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center | $77,500 – $99,800 | Sign-on: $7K–$12K |
| Lurie Children's Hospital | $78,900 – $102,400 | Pediatric premium |
| Cook County Health (Stroger) | $75,600 – $96,200 | PSLF eligible |
| NorthShore University HealthSystem | $76,400 – $98,700 | Suburban premium |
Source: NurseSalaryIntel hospital data, 2026
Northwestern Memorial leads the market not just on base pay but on total comp structure — structured step increases every 2 years, robust retirement matching, and aggressive sign-on bonuses for ICU, ER, and OR roles make it the most competitive offer in the Chicago market for experienced nurses.
Chicago RN Salary by Specialty
Chicago RN Pay by Specialty (2026)
| Specialty | Avg. Chicago Salary | Premium vs. Base |
|---|---|---|
| Med-Surg / Floor | $78,900 | Base |
| Telemetry | $82,100 | +$3,200 |
| L&D | $86,400 | +$7,500 |
| OR / Surgical | $87,800 | +$8,900 |
| ER | $89,200 | +$10,300 |
| ICU / CCU | $91,600 | +$12,700 |
| NICU | $88,700 | +$9,800 |
| Trauma (Level 1) | $95,400 | +$16,500 |
Source: NurseSalaryIntel survey data, 2026
Chicago vs. Other Midwest Cities
RN Salary — Chicago vs. Midwest Metros (2026)
| City | Avg. Annual Salary | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $83,580 | COL Index 107 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $82,140 | COL Index 103 |
| Detroit, MI | $74,800 | COL Index 88 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $69,400 | COL Index 90 |
| National Average | $89,010 | COL Index 100 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025 + NurseSalaryIntel 2026 projections
Chicago pays the most of any Midwest metro — but also has the highest cost of living in the region. Nurses relocating from Indianapolis or Detroit see a nominal salary increase that largely offsets the higher housing costs. However, Chicago's academic medical center concentration means considerably better career development, specialty access, and promotion velocity than smaller Midwest markets.
Sign-On Bonuses in Chicago (2026)
Chicago hospital systems are among the most aggressive for sign-on bonuses in the Midwest. Typical ranges as of 2026:
- Med-Surg / Telemetry: $4,000 – $9,000 (1-year commitment)
- L&D / OR / PACU: $8,000 – $14,000 (2-year commitment)
- ICU / ER / NICU: $10,000 – $18,000 (2-year commitment)
- Trauma / Cath Lab: $14,000 – $22,000 (2-year commitment)
Northwestern Memorial and Rush consistently offer the highest sign-on figures for experienced specialty nurses. Cook County and suburban Advocate systems are catching up aggressively due to staffing pressure.
Shift Differentials + Night Pay in Chicago
Illinois union influence (SEIU Healthcare) affects shift differential structures at many Chicago facilities. Typical differentials:
- Evening (3p–11p): +$2.50 – $4.00/hr
- Night (11p–7a): +$4.50 – $7.00/hr
- Weekend: +$2.00 – $4.50/hr
- Charge nurse stipend: +$3.00 – $5.00/hr or flat $225/shift
A full-time night-shift ICU RN with CCRN certification at Northwestern or Rush can realistically earn $100,000 – $118,000 in total compensation before sign-on or overtime.
Illinois Nursing Licenses + NCLEX
Illinois is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) as of 2023, allowing multi-state practice. This has meaningfully increased travel and per diem nursing in Chicago, with agencies paying $65–$95/hr for ICU and ER contract nurses at major Chicago systems.
Related Salary Guides
Illinois RN Salary (Full State Guide)
All cities, experience tiers, top employers
ICU Nurse Salary in Illinois
Critical care pay + CCRN premium
ER Nurse Salary in Illinois
Emergency nursing pay statewide
Houston RN Salary 2026
Compare with Texas Medical Center
Sources
- BLS OEWS — Registered Nurses, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin MSA
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
- Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Nursing
📊 Data Methodology
Salary figures on this page are 2026 estimates derived from the most recent available U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, based on the May 2024 survey and published in March 2025. Estimated ranges may also incorporate publicly available 2025 job postings, hospital pay schedules, regional market conditions, and reported compensation trends.
Official 2026 OEWS wage data has not yet been released. All salary figures on this page should be treated as informational estimates rather than official government statistics or guaranteed compensation rates.
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