Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL: $65.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Chicago, IL runs $65.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,285 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $63.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,775 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Nurse practitioner hourly pay in Chicago, Illinois, is projected to be $65.53 in 2026, just slightly below the national median of $65.80. This competitive hourly rate provides excellent earning potential for those in various settings such as primary care exam rooms, urgent care facilities, hospital outpatient clinics, retail clinic kiosks, and telehealth services. With an hourly range spanning from $52.85 for entry-level positions to approximately $81.94 for top earners, the profession accommodates both full-time and part-time workers, including those who may work three days a week or take on per diem roles. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, reflects the growing demand for nurse practitioners in the region, a trend that has significant implications for job seekers in the healthcare field.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52.85 | $422.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.04 | $472.31 |
| Median (P50) | $65.53 | $524.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.18 | $593.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.94 | $655.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicago
Based on $65.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.53/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicago, IL can expect to earn approximately $136,292 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,630. With a cost-of-living index of 103.59 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,621.01 | $11,358 | $136,292 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,572.61 | $6,815 | $81,775 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,048.40 | $4,543 | $54,517 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Chicago) | $65.53 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (National Avg) | $103.40 |
| Nurse Midwife (National Avg) | $63.85 |
Nurse Practitioners in Chicago, IL earn a median of $136,285 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.42% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 1.70% above the Illinois state average of $134,007.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.53/hr = $81,775/year (purchasing power: $78,938).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,292/year (purchasing power: $131,563).
CoL index: 103.595 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$51.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Chicago grew 23.0% from $51.51/hr (2019) to $63.34/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.79/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse practitioners can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Nurse Practitioner in Chicago
Part-time nurse practitioners working three days a week can take home a respectable income, totaling around $81,372 if they work 24 hours weekly at the median hourly rate. In contrast, per diem nurse practitioner pay in Chicago can be even more lucrative, especially for those pursuing locum tenens opportunities that may offer billing rates between $80 and $140 per hour. For mental health specialists, particularly PMHNPs engaged in telehealth, hourly rates can soar to $150-$200, reflecting the urgent need for qualified professionals in this area. Additionally, job types significantly influence hourly compensation levels. For example, positions in hospital outpatient clinics or primary care practices generally provide stable salaries with benefits, while urgent care chains, retail clinics, and 1099 locum agencies may offer higher pay at the cost of job security and benefits. Nurse practitioners should carefully negotiate their hourly rates, balancing the potential for higher pay against the security of employment and benefits in a well-structured setting within Chicago's competitive healthcare market.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Chicago in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nurse practitioners in Chicago. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
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