Cath Lab Illinois High Demand

Cath Lab Travel Nurse Salary in Illinois

Calculate your take-home pay as a Cardiac Catheterization Lab travel nurse in Illinois. Cath Lab travel nurses assist with cardiac catheterization, angioplasty, and electrophysiology procedures. High demand in rural and community hospitals upgrading cardiac care capabilities.

Last updated: March 4, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist

Verified

Average Hourly Rate

$48/hr

Cath Lab in IL

Weekly Gross Pay

$1,920

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$99,840

Working full-time

#19

Illinois Cath Lab Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for Cath Lab travel nurse compensation

Illinois's 4.95% state tax is offset by a low cost of living (index: 94.3). Cath Lab travel nurses here can expect affordable housing—average rent is $1200/month, leaving an estimated $1,011/week in stipend profit.

Est. Weekly Gross

$3,208

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$2,652

(After 28.95% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$1,011/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Hawaii leads at $58/hr — $10/hr more than Illinois. Compare →

Calculate Your Cath Lab Pay in Illinois

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Cardiac Catheterization Lab travel nurse in Illinois. Enter your contract details to see your true discretionary income after cost of living adjustments.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Illinois ($840/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate28.9%
Federal: 24%
State: 4.95%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 4.95% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$83.78

Based on 36 hours in IL.

Gross Weekly Pay

$3,016

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,728

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$500

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,516

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$32,705

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$65,409

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$130,819

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Loading chart...

Take Home

$2,516

per week

Taxes

$500

per week

Total Gross: $3,016 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$840

$3,637/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Illinois

$1,200

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,437

Your stipend covers rent with $2,437 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,200/month in Chicago:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Illinois

Monthly Net Income:$10,893
Average 1BR Rent:$1,200
True Discretionary Income:$9,693

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:94.3

National average = 100. Illinois's cost of living is lower than the national average by 5.7 points.

Housing Cost: Moderate

Utilities: Moderate

Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.

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GSA Rates & Tax-Free Stipends in Illinois

Cath Lab travel nurses in Illinois receive the same tax-free stipend rates as other specialties. The specialty premium is reflected in your higher taxable hourly rate.

Lodging

$120/night

Meals & Incidentals

$69/day

Weekly Stipend Max

$1,323

Requirements for Cath Lab Travel Nurses in Illinois

Cath Lab Certifications

  • BLS
  • ACLS
  • 2+ years cath lab experience
  • RCIS or equivalent preferred
  • Sterile field competency

Illinois Licensing

Compact State No
License Cost $200
Processing Time 4-6 weeks

Tax & Cost of Living in Illinois

Tax Information

State Income Tax 4.95%
Tax-Friendly Yes

Cost of Living

COL Index 94.3
vs National Avg 5.700000000000003% lower
Housing Moderate

Top Hospitals Hiring Cath Lab Nurses in Illinois

  • Northwestern Memorial Hospital
  • Rush University Medical Center
  • University of Chicago Medical Center

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Cath Lab travel nurses make in Illinois?

Cardiac Catheterization Lab travel nurses in Illinois typically earn between $43 and $60 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $48/hr. This translates to approximately $1,920 per week or $99,840 annually. Cath Lab nurses often earn a premium due to specialized skills required.

What are the requirements to work as a Cath Lab travel nurse in Illinois?

To work as a Cardiac Catheterization Lab travel nurse in Illinois, you typically need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years cath lab experience, RCIS or equivalent preferred, Sterile field competency. Illinois is NOT part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so you'll need a separate Illinois nursing license ($200, takes 4-6 weeks).

What GSA rates apply for Cath Lab travel nurses in Illinois?

The GSA per diem rates for Illinois are: Lodging: $120/night, Meals: $64/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts. Cath Lab travel nurses receive the same stipend rates as other specialties—the specialty premium is reflected in the higher taxable hourly rate.

Is Illinois a good state for Cath Lab travel nurses?

Illinois is relatively tax-friendly for travel nurses. Cath Lab nursing has high demand in this state. The cost of living index is 94.3 (below national average).

Which cities in Illinois have the best Cath Lab travel nurse jobs?

Popular cities for Cardiac Catheterization Lab travel nurse assignments in Illinois include: Chicago, Peoria, Rockford. Major hospitals like Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Rush University Medical Center frequently hire Cath Lab travel nurses. Use our calculator to compare pay and cost of living across these cities.

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by travel nursing agencies.