Hire Registered Nurses in Illinois
Illinois has 118,200 licensed registered nurses — ranking #7 nationally. Median salary: $89k. Healthcare jobs growing 5%.
Illinois ranks #7 of 51 states for registered nurses with 118,200 providers (3070 per 100K residents, 224% above the national average of 948). Chicago leads with 32,400 providers. Average time-to-fill: ~35 days. Sign-on bonuses avg $15,000.
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Registered Nurses Salary & Compensation in Illinois
To recruit mid-career registered nurses in Illinois, target offers at $93,524+. Sign-on bonuses averaging $15,000 can help close competitive candidates. (Source: BLS OOH)
Registered Nurses Supply by City in Illinois
| City | Providers | Per 100K | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 32,400 | 1200 | 2,700,000 |
| Aurora | 2,400 | 1200 | 200,000 |
| Joliet | 1,800 | 1200 | 150,000 |
| Naperville | 1,776 | 1200 | 148,000 |
| Rockford | 1,740 | 1200 | 145,000 |
| Springfield | 1,368 | 1200 | 114,000 |
| Peoria | 1,344 | 1200 | 112,000 |
| Elgin | 1,320 | 1200 | 110,000 |
| Waukegan | 1,044 | 1200 | 87,000 |
| Cicero | 1,008 | 1200 | 84,000 |
10 cities in Illinois have registered nurses data. National average: 948 per 100K residents.
Illinois Recruiting Market Overview
Illinois ranks #7 of 51 states for registered nurses with 118,200 providers (3070 per 100K residents, 224% above the national average of 948). Chicago leads with 32,400 providers.
Illinois is not a compact state — individual licensure required. NPs require physician collaboration agreements.
With 22.5% annual turnover, Illinois sees approximately 26,595 registered nurses 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Hiring Registered Nurses in Illinois
How many registered nurses are in Illinois?
Illinois has 118,200 licensed registered nurses, ranking #7 nationally with 3070 per 100K residents. Source: CMS NPPES NPI Registry.
What is the salary for registered nurses in Illinois?
The national median is $89,070. Entry-level: $68,000, Senior: $98,000. 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 registered nurses?
Top cities: Chicago (32,400), Aurora (2,400), Joliet (1,800). Chicago has 1200 per 100K residents.
What is the turnover rate for registered nurses in Illinois?
Annual turnover averages 22.5%. Top exit reasons: burnout (35%), better pay (28%). Proactive retention programs reduce turnover 25-40%.
How long does recruiting registered nurses 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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