Labor & Delivery Illinois High Demand

Labor & Delivery Travel Nurse Salary in Illinois

Calculate your take-home pay as a Labor & Delivery travel nurse in Illinois. L&D travel nurses care for mothers and newborns during labor, delivery, and postpartum periods.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$50/hr

Labor & Delivery in IL

Weekly Gross Pay

$2,016

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$104,832

Working full-time

#19

Illinois Labor & Delivery Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for Labor & Delivery travel nurse compensation

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

Est. Weekly Gross

$3,304

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$2,720

(After 28.95% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$1,011/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Hawaii leads at $61/hr — $11/hr more than Illinois. Compare →

Calculate Your Labor & Delivery Pay in Illinois

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Labor & Delivery 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

Labor & Delivery 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 Labor & Delivery Travel Nurses in Illinois

Labor & Delivery Certifications

  • BLS
  • NRP
  • 2+ years L&D experience
  • AWHONN preferred

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 Labor & Delivery Nurses in Illinois

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

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Labor & Delivery travel nurses make in Illinois?

Labor & Delivery travel nurses in Illinois typically earn between $45 and $62 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $50/hr. This translates to approximately $2,016 per week or $104,832 annually. Labor & Delivery nurses often earn a premium due to specialized skills required.

What are the requirements to work as a Labor & Delivery travel nurse in Illinois?

To work as a Labor & Delivery travel nurse in Illinois, you typically need: BLS, NRP, 2+ years L&D experience, AWHONN preferred. 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 Labor & Delivery 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. Labor & Delivery 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 Labor & Delivery travel nurses?

Illinois is relatively tax-friendly for travel nurses. Labor & Delivery 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 Labor & Delivery travel nurse jobs?

Popular cities for Labor & Delivery travel nurse assignments in Illinois include: Chicago, Peoria, Rockford. Major hospitals like Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Rush University Medical Center frequently hire Labor & Delivery 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.