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Hire Nurse Practitioners in Illinois

Illinois has 10,800 licensed nurse practitioners — ranking #8 nationally. Median salary: $129k. Healthcare jobs growing 5%.

0
Licensed Providers
Source: NPI Registry
281
Per 100K Residents
+256% vs national
$129k
Median Salary
Source: BLS 2024
#8
National Rank
of 51 states
5%
Job Growth
projected
~35d
Avg Time-to-Fill
low competition
LOW COMPETITION

Illinois ranks #8 of 51 states for nurse practitioners with 10,800 providers (281 per 100K residents, 256% above the national average of 79). Chicago leads with 3,240 providers. Average time-to-fill: ~35 days. Sign-on bonuses avg $15,000.

Compact State
Individual licensure required
!
NP Practice Authority
Requires physician collaboration
Hospital Credentialing
60-120 days
%
Turnover Rate
18.2% annual avg

Recruit Nurse Practitioners in Major Cities

Nurse Practitioners Salary & Compensation in Illinois

$108,000
Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$129,260
Median Salary
$145,000
Senior (8-15 yrs)

To recruit mid-career nurse practitioners in Illinois, target offers at $135,723+. Sign-on bonuses averaging $15,000 can help close competitive candidates. (Source: BLS OOH)

Nurse Practitioners Supply by City in Illinois

CityProvidersPer 100KPopulation
Chicago3,2401202,700,000
Aurora240120200,000
Joliet180120150,000
Naperville178120148,000
Rockford174120145,000
Springfield137120114,000
Peoria134120112,000
Elgin132120110,000
Waukegan10412087,000
Cicero10112084,000

10 cities in Illinois have nurse practitioners data. National average: 79 per 100K residents.

Illinois Recruiting Market Overview

Illinois ranks #8 of 51 states for nurse practitioners with 10,800 providers (281 per 100K residents, 256% above the national average of 79). Chicago leads with 3,240 providers.

Illinois is not a compact state — individual licensure required. NPs require physician collaboration agreements.

With 18.2% annual turnover, Illinois sees approximately 1,966 nurse practitioners position changes per year. Top retention factors: work-life balance (85%), competitive salary (82%), and supportive management (78%).

Average time-to-fill is ~35 days. Recruiters should factor in 60-120 days for hospital credentialing and 90-180 days for insurance paneling.

Top Specializations

Frequently Asked Questions: Hiring Nurse Practitioners in Illinois

How many nurse practitioners are in Illinois?

Illinois has 10,800 licensed nurse practitioners, ranking #8 nationally with 281 per 100K residents. Source: CMS NPPES NPI Registry.

What is the salary for nurse practitioners in Illinois?

The national median is $129,260. Entry-level: $108,000, Senior: $145,000. Sign-on bonuses averaging $15,000 are common for hard-to-fill roles. Source: BLS 2024.

Is Illinois a Nurse Licensure Compact state?

No, Illinois requires individual state licensure. The compact includes 42 member states.

Which cities in Illinois have the most nurse practitioners?

Top cities: Chicago (3,240), Aurora (240), Joliet (180). Chicago has 120 per 100K residents.

What is the turnover rate for nurse practitioners in Illinois?

Annual turnover averages 18.2%. Top exit reasons: burnout (35%), better pay (28%). Proactive retention programs reduce turnover 25-40%.

How long does recruiting nurse practitioners take?

Average time-to-fill is ~35 days (low competition). Hospital credentialing adds 60-120 days. Start the process early to avoid staffing gaps.

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