City salary · United States · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary in Chicago (United States) 2026
How much does a registered nurse make in Chicago, United States? Our 2026 model applies a city pay multiplier and a separate city cost-of-living index to the United States mid-level band, so the gross range and the net value of that range are both shown here.
Figures use Toolminator's static salary model (ranges for comparison, not job listings). Methodology & limitations.
Salary range
$83,632–$104,075
Gross annual · USD
Average
$93,854
Est. take-home
$71,329
~24% effective tax (model)
Demand
high
rising trend
Chicago vs the United States average
The same mid-level registered nurse role priced two ways — the city-adjusted band and the national band — so you can see exactly what the location premium is worth before you compare offers.
| Basis | Gross range | Average | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $83,632 – $104,075 | $93,854 | $93,854 |
| United States national average | $81,180 – $101,024 | $91,102 | $91,102 |
Chicago prices this role 3% above the United States national average in our model.
Registered Nurse salary in Chicago vs the United States average
Our model applies a city pay multiplier and a separate city cost-of-living multiplier, so the gross band for Chicago and the band for the wider United States market are not simply the same number with a bigger city tax. A balanced metro with broad finance, health and industry hiring.
What Chicago means for your net pay
A higher gross band in a high-cost city is only worth the move if the salary premium outruns the rent and commuting premium. Use the take-home and purchasing-power tools linked below: they convert this band to net local currency and to a US-equivalent purchasing-power figure so two offers can be compared directly.
Related salary pages
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Registered Nurse make in Chicago?
- A mid-level Registered Nurse in Chicago earns roughly $83,632 to $104,075 gross per year, with a midpoint near $93,854, in our 2026 model.
- What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Chicago?
- Our 2026 city-adjusted model puts the mid-level Registered Nurse band in Chicago at $83,632 to $104,075 per year before tax.
- Is Chicago better or worse for pay than the rest of United States?
- A balanced metro with broad finance, health and industry hiring.
- What is the take-home pay for a Registered Nurse in Chicago?
- After the modelled 24% effective rate for United States, the $83,632 to $104,075 gross band translates to roughly $71,329 per year net at the midpoint.
- How much does cost of living in Chicago change what that salary is worth?
- Cost of living in Chicago is modelled at 1.00× the US baseline, so this gross band buys roughly $93,854 of US-equivalent purchasing power.
- Is this Registered Nurse salary in Chicago base pay or total compensation?
- The band is base gross pay. Bonuses, equity and allowances are excluded, so total compensation for the same role in Chicago can sit 10–25% above the figure shown.
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