Nurse Practitioner Salary in Rockford, IL: $132,126 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Rockford, IL earns a median $132,126/year (≈ $63.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $143,375 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rockford, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for nurse practitioners in 2026 is $132,126, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $136,864. Salary ranges vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $101,815 and experienced professionals earning up to $154,647. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, which offers insights into the local job market and its potential for growth. The variation in salaries can be attributed to the specialty focus of employed nurse practitioners. For example, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) tend to earn higher wages, influenced by the increasing demand for mental health services in the area compared to family and adult-gerontology acute care NPs (AGACNPs) and family nurse practitioners (FNPs).
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,815 | $48.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,061 | $54.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,126 | $63.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,726 | $66.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $154,647 | $74.35 |
Median Salary Position
3.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,832 (2026 est.). At $132,126, the local median is 3.46% below the national median of $136,864.
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At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be above the median
How Rockford Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Rockford median: $132,126/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $134,002 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $136,864 | -3.46% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Rockford, IL earn a median of $132,126 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.46% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $134,002.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford has a cost of living 7.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.154 (below the national average of 100). A nurse practitioner earning $132,126 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,375 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,780
2025 BLS Actual
$127,720
2026 Current Est.
$132,126
2019–2027 Growth
+20.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,126 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,685 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 12.3% from $113,780 (2019) to $127,720 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,685 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,905 (20.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $101,815 – $113,061 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,061 – $132,126 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,126 – $138,726 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,726 – $154,647 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Rockford
Rockford's healthcare market employs approximately 240 nurse practitioners, presenting a relatively stable job environment. The cost of living index stands at 92.154, suggesting that while salaries are lower than the national average, the overall affordability enables NPs in Rockford to maintain a reasonable standard of living. Among employers, hospital outpatient clinics typically offer the most competitive pay, followed by specialty clinics and urgent care chains. Factors contributing to the disparity in wages include the area of specialization and the type of practice authority available. Nurse practitioners with full-practice authority may have more flexibility in their roles and, consequently, can negotiate higher salaries. Building strong relationships with local healthcare facilities and staying current with state regulations can be effective strategies for maximizing compensation in the Rockford market.
More salary data for Rockford, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $127,720 for nurse practitionersin the Rockford metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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