Travel Nurse Salary Guide: Chicago, IL

Home to Wrigley Field, Millennium Park and the Magnificent Mile, living in Chicago has plenty to offer. For registered nurses (RNs), the prospect of increased earnings makes the city even more attractive than all its famous attractions. RNs tend to earn more in the Windy City than in nearby markets, and you could bump your earning potential even further if you have experience in an in-demand specialty. This guide provides in-depth RN salary data for Chicago and several other markets, making it easier to determine how your RN salary in Chicago stacks up against wages in other areas.

Average Travel Nurse Salary

$2,151/week

The average salary for a Travel Nurse in Chicago, IL is $2,151 per week. This is 5% lower than the Illinois average of $2,251.

Last updated on December 21, 2024. Based on 3,719 active jobs on Vivian.com in the last 7 days.

Travel Nurse salaries in Chicago, IL compared to State and National Averages

$2,151/week

Chicago, IL

This is equal to the US average

$2,251/week

Illinois

5% higher than the US average.

$2,146/week

United States

How Travel Nurse Salaries in Chicago Compare to Other Cities

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Harvey, Illinois

$1,701/week

This is 26% lower than the Chicago average of $2,151.

Valparaiso, Indiana

$1,838/week

This is 17% lower than the Chicago average of $2,151.

Rockford, Illinois

$2,150/week

This is equal to the Chicago average

What type of Travel Nurses make the most money in Chicago?
SpecialtyAverage Weekly SalaryMax Weekly Salary
Manager$3,092$3,400
Cardiac Cath Lab$2,861$3,812
What are the highest paying Agencies for Travel Nurse jobs in Chicago?
Average Weekly SalaryMax Weekly Salary
Nurses First Solutions$4,268$4,268
Epic Travel Staffing$3,976$3,976
Springboard Healthcare$3,144$3,144
Vastek Group$3,100$3,100
Treva Workforce$3,080$3,080
LanceSoft$3,043$3,812
Next Move Healthcare$2,965$2,965
Health Advocates Network-Nursing$2,684$2,969
Fusion Medical Staffing-Cath Lab$2,644$2,644
Medical Solutions LTC$2,588$2,588

Last updated on December 21, 2024. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com.

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Tips for Increasing Your Pay

Travel Contracts

If you’re looking for more flexibility, accepting travel contracts is another good way to increase your income. Staff roles in Chicago paying an average of $37.22 per hour equals $1,488.80 per week if you work a 40-hour schedule. That’s $870.20 less than the average weekly salary for a travel contract paying an average of $2,359. Over 13 weeks, that’s a difference of nearly $11,313, making travel nursing a rewarding way to increase your RN salary in Chicago.

High-Paying Nursing Specialties in Chicago

For travel roles, nurses with OR experience had the highest hourly wages during this period, particularly those with experience in cardiovascular OR (CVOR) nursing. Travel CVOR nurses earned up to $4,424 per week, while travel OR nurses earned up to $4,382 weekly. Contracts in the pediatric intensive care unit and pediatric postanesthesia care unit also had higher-than-average salaries. These travel roles paid between $4,010 and $4,054 per week.

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