Nurse Practitioner Pay

Chicago vs Lombard: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Chicago, IL and Lombard, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chicago, IL
$136,285
$65.53/hr
Lombard, IL
$129,868
$62.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILLombard, IL
Median Salary$136,285$129,868
Hourly Rate$65.53$62.43
Entry Level (P10)$109,926$97,455
25th Percentile$122,805$120,757
75th Percentile$154,296$153,944
Top Earner (P90)$170,434$169,171
Total Employed6,5308
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($136,285) and Lombard ($129,868) nurse practitioner salaries.ChicagoLombardMedian Salary$136,285$129,868Entry Level (P10)$109,926$97,455Top Earner (P90)$170,434$169,171US Median $136,864

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lombard.

The salary gap between Chicago and Lombard is $6,417 (4.94%). Chicago's median is -0.42% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chicago spans $60,508,Lombard spans $71,716. Lombard has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Chicago
P10 (Entry)$109,926
P25$122,805
Median$136,285
P75$154,296
P90 (Top)$170,434
Lombard
P10 (Entry)$97,455
P25$120,757
Median$129,868
P75$153,944
P90 (Top)$169,171

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lombard ($133,747 effective) pays 1.67% more than Chicago ($131,556 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $136,285
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $131,556
Lombard
Nominal: $129,868
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $133,747

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,285/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($170,434)
  • Larger job market (6,530 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Lombard if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $133,747)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Chicago grew 23.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.2% growth in Lombard over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+23.0%

$107,140 (2019) → $131,740 (2025)

Lombard, IL

+4.2%

$120,429 (2024) → $125,537 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Chicago or Lombard?

Chicago has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $136,285/year, compared to Lombard at $129,868/year — a difference of $6,417 (4.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Lombard?

Chicago nurse practitioners earn $65.53/hr while Lombard hygienists earn $62.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chicago to Lombard as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Lombard. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $131,556, Lombard = $133,747), job availability (6,530 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Chicago vs Lombard?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $109,926 in Chicago and $97,455 in Lombard. The Chicago area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov