The Average Wage in Illinois for an RN

Registered nurses are highly trained professionals who care for sick and injured patients. Nurses offer treatment and provide emotional assurance to patients and their families during difficult moments of suffering and stress. A career as a nurse can be very rewarding, particularly for those who are caring and sympathetic. Nurses work side-by-side with other health-care professionals, from physicians to nursing aides. If you are interested becoming an RN in Illinois, then learn about their earning potential in that state.

Illinois

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses earned an hourly mean wage of $31.46 and an annual mean wage of $65,440 in Illinois during May 2009.

National Comparison

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals how registered nurses earned a national hourly mean wage of $31.99 and an annual mean wage of $66,530 in May 2009. The national hourly wage was 53 cents above Illinois' hourly wage. The national mean salary was $1,090 above Illinois' annual mean.

Metropolitan Areas

• Salaries for registered nurses in Illinois varied across metropolitan areas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Metropolitan areas may stretch across multiple states. In May 2009, registered nurses in the Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, metropolitan area earned an annual mean wage of $55,190; Champaign-Urbane, Illinois, $63,720; Chicago-Naperville-Joilet, Illinois-Indiana-Wisconsin, $68,990; Danville, Illinois, $60,400; Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, Iowa-Illinois, $46,210; Decatur, Illinois, $58,180; Kankakee-Bradley, Illinois, $58,490; Peoria, Illinois, $54,140; Rockford, Illinois, $57,580; St. Louis, Montana-Illinois, $59,010; and Springfield, Illinois, $61,050.

Regions

• Salaries for registered nurses in Illinois differed across regions, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In May 2009, registered nurses in northwest Illinois earned an annual mean wage of $55,690; west central Illinois, $58,790; east central Illinois, $51,230; and south Illinois, $54,860.

Job Outlook

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, national employment for registered nurses is expected to increase at a rate of 22 percent from 2008 through 2018. Employment for registered nurses in Illinois is projected to experience a 28 percent increase through 2016.