Nurse Practitioner Salary in Waukegan, IL: $134,223 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Waukegan, IL earns a median $134,223/year (≈ $64.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Waukegan's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $138,232 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukegan, Illinois, nurse practitioners can expect a median annual salary of $134,223 in 2026, which reflects a slight decrease of 1.93% compared to the national median of $136,864. The salary for this role varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $100,417 (P10) and seasoned professionals earning up to $183,645 (P90). These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted to account for regional economic conditions. As demand for healthcare continues to grow, particularly for specialties like Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP), Waukegan's job market is competitive for NPs, where monetary compensation can significantly vary based on the specific healthcare setting.
About the Waukegan Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,417 | $48.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,903 | $56.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,223 | $64.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,469 | $76.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,645 | $88.29 |
Median Salary Position
1.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukegan
In Waukegan, IL, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,228 (2026 est.). At $134,223, the local median is 1.93% below the national median of $136,864.
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At 40 hours/week in Waukegan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukegan Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Waukegan median: $134,223/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukegan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $134,089 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $136,864 | -1.93% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Waukegan, IL earn a median of $134,223 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.93% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $134,089.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukegan has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waukegan, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A nurse practitioner earning $134,223 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,232 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,701
2025 BLS Actual
$129,747
2026 Current Est.
$134,223
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Waukegan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,701 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,525 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,351 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,263 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,824 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,468 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,747 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,223 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,854 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukegan metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $107,701 (2019) to $129,747 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,854 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,153 (28.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukegan 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) | $100,417 – $116,903 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,903 – $134,223 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,223 – $158,469 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,469 – $183,645 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Waukegan
With only 18 nurse practitioners currently employed in Waukegan, the job market remains relatively small yet specialized. The cost of living index in the area is 97.1, slightly below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of local earnings. Among primary employers, outpatient clinics and specialty clinics tend to offer the highest compensation packages. The disparity in nurse practitioner pay in Waukegan arises from various factors, including specialty focus, which sees PMHNPs commanding higher salaries compared to Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) and Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNPs). To maximize salary potential, practitioners should consider seeking positions that offer productivity bonuses and explore opportunities in telehealth, which may provide additional revenue streams through 1099 contracts. Understanding the local market dynamics and obtaining population-focused certifications are key strategies for enhancing salary prospects in the area.
More salary data for Waukegan, 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 $129,747 for nurse practitionersin the Waukegan 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
Salary data for Waukegan is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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