Nurse Practitioner Salary in Illinois: $135,797 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 65 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $135,797/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $139,853 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bloomington ($139,190), Champaign ($137,100), Urbana ($136,601).
In 2026, the average median salary for nurse practitioners in Illinois is projected to be $135,797, which is slightly below the national median of $136,864, reflecting a difference of -0.8%. The salary range across the state varies significantly; for instance, Bloomington offers the highest pay at $143,992, while Decatur has the lowest at $114,643. This gap of $29,349 can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and competition among employers in different regions. Illinois has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact nurse practitioners. These practitioners can operate with a certain degree of autonomy, though they must adhere to regulations that can vary by locality. The state's healthcare needs, shaped by demographic trends and the ongoing demand for accessible medical services, support a job market that is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.45%. The concentration of employment among 8,741 nurse practitioners illustrates the importance of this role within Illinois healthcare. Major cities like Champaign, Urbana, Naperville, and Moline are projected to offer competitive salaries ranging from $137,290 to $141,830, enhancing opportunities for practitioners seeking to advance their careers in different environments throughout the state.
Illinois Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in Illinois: $96,234 (lowest entry-level) to $191,507 (highest top earner)
Illinois vs National Average
Illinois nurse practitioners earn 0.78% less than the national median ($-1,067/year difference).
Illinois Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in Illinois range from $108,601 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $168,149 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $135,797. The Illinois median is $1,067 below the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $65.29/hr. Approximately 8,741 nurse practitioners are employed across 65 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$107,693
2025 BLS Actual
$131,268
2026 Current Est.
$135,797
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Illinois (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,693 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,599 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,514 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,762 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,268 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,797 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,482 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 21.9% from $107,693 (2019) to $131,268 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,482 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,789 (30.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Illinois
Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Decatur | $114,643 |
| Carbondale | $125,540 |
| Elmhurst | $126,790 |
| Calumet City | $127,102 |
| Galesburg | $127,143 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in Illinois
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $143,992 | 93.537 | $153,941 |
| Champaign | $141,830 | 92.704 | $152,992 |
| Peoria | $133,368 | 91.231 | $146,187 |
| Urbana | $141,314 | 97.1 | $145,535 |
| Springfield | $134,692 | 92.745 | $145,228 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $108,601 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $135,797 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $168,149 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 65 Cities in Illinois
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bloomington | $143,992 |
| 2 | Champaign | $141,830 |
| 3 | Urbana | $141,314 |
| 4 | Naperville | $137,707 |
| 5 | Moline | $137,290 |
| 6 | Chicago | $136,285 |
| 7 | Orland Park | $135,900 |
| 8 | Bolingbrook | $135,317 |
| 9 | Rock Island | $135,164 |
| 10 | Elgin | $135,069 |
| 11 | Springfield | $134,692 |
| 12 | Palatine | $134,298 |
| 13 | Waukegan | $134,223 |
| 14 | Mount Prospect | $133,969 |
| 15 | Hoffman Estates | $133,533 |
| 16 | Peoria | $133,368 |
| 17 | Evanston | $133,279 |
| 18 | Joliet | $133,166 |
| 19 | Oak Park | $133,055 |
| 20 | Danville | $132,781 |
| 21 | Kankakee | $132,747 |
| 22 | Addison | $132,500 |
| 23 | Berwyn | $132,440 |
| 24 | Aurora | $132,354 |
| 25 | Tinley Park | $132,334 |
| 26 | Northbrook | $132,199 |
| 27 | Rockford | $132,126 |
| 28 | St. Charles | $132,115 |
| 29 | Gurnee | $132,084 |
| 30 | Arlington Heights | $131,899 |
| 31 | Wheaton | $131,729 |
| 32 | Woodridge | $131,689 |
| 33 | Schaumburg | $131,623 |
| 34 | Buffalo Grove | $131,584 |
| 35 | Bartlett | $131,574 |
| 36 | Lake in the Hills | $131,086 |
| 37 | Collinsville | $131,065 |
| 38 | Skokie | $131,029 |
| 39 | Wheeling | $130,835 |
| 40 | Carpentersville | $130,690 |
| 41 | Oak Lawn | $130,604 |
| 42 | O'Fallon | $130,576 |
| 43 | Quincy | $130,066 |
| 44 | Algonquin | $130,066 |
| 45 | Carol Stream | $129,952 |
| 46 | Normal | $129,946 |
| 47 | Lombard | $129,868 |
| 48 | Cicero | $129,734 |
| 49 | Plainfield | $129,598 |
| 50 | Des Plaines | $129,574 |
| 51 | Oswego | $129,078 |
| 52 | DeKalb | $128,974 |
| 53 | Park Ridge | $128,870 |
| 54 | Hanover Park | $128,818 |
| 55 | Glenview | $128,808 |
| 56 | Romeoville | $128,287 |
| 57 | Streamwood | $128,110 |
| 58 | Downers Grove | $127,871 |
| 59 | Belleville | $127,840 |
| 60 | Crystal Lake | $127,632 |
| 61 | Galesburg | $127,143 |
| 62 | Calumet City | $127,102 |
| 63 | Elmhurst | $126,790 |
| 64 | Carbondale | $125,540 |
| 65 | Decatur | $114,643 |
More Illinois Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse practitioner hourly pay in Illinois cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Compare Cities in Illinois
View all comparisons →Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Illinois in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in Illinois?
How does Illinois nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Illinois?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in Illinois?
Which Illinois city offers the best value for nurse practitioners?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse practitioner compensation across Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 65 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse practitionerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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