Nurse Practitioner Pay

Chicago vs Moline: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

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

Chicago, IL
$136,285
$65.53/hr
Moline, IL
$137,290
$66.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILMoline, IL
Median Salary$136,285$137,290
Hourly Rate$65.53$66.00
Entry Level (P10)$109,926$106,702
25th Percentile$122,805$122,438
75th Percentile$154,296$160,639
Top Earner (P90)$170,434$170,529
Total Employed6,53010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($136,285) and Moline ($137,290) nurse practitioner salaries.ChicagoMolineMedian Salary$136,285$137,290Entry Level (P10)$109,926$106,702Top Earner (P90)$170,434$170,529US Median $136,864

Verdict

Moline, IL offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Chicago.

The salary gap between Chicago and Moline is $1,005 (0.74%). Moline's median is +0.31% 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,Moline spans $63,827. Moline 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
Moline
P10 (Entry)$106,702
P25$122,438
Median$137,290
P75$160,639
P90 (Top)$170,529

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Moline ($141,390 effective) pays 7.48% more than Chicago ($131,556 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $136,285
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $131,556
Moline
Nominal: $137,290
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $141,390

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chicago if…

  • Larger job market (6,530 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Moline if…

  • Higher median salary ($137,290/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($170,529)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $141,390)
  • 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 8.2% growth in Moline over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+23.0%

$107,140 (2019) → $131,740 (2025)

Moline, IL

+8.2%

$122,696 (2024) → $132,711 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Chicago or Moline?

Moline has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $137,290/year, compared to Chicago at $136,285/year — a difference of $1,005 (0.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Moline?

Chicago nurse practitioners earn $65.53/hr while Moline hygienists earn $66.00/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Moline. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $131,556, Moline = $141,390), job availability (6,530 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $109,926 in Chicago and $106,702 in Moline. 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