Travel Nurse Pay in Illinois

Discover average travel nurse pay rates, stipends, and take-home calculations for Illinois. Use our free calculator below to estimate your earnings.

Calculate Your Pay in Illinois

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay in Illinois, including cost of living analysis to see your true discretionary income.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

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

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$58.89

Based on 36 hours in IL.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,120

Taxable Weekly Income

$720

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$173

True Net Weekly Pay

$1,947

Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$25,314

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$50,627

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$101,254

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

Take Home
Taxes

Cost of Living Analysis in Illinois

Monthly Net Income:$8,431
Average 1BR Rent:$1,200
True Discretionary Income:$7,231

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.

Resources for Your Assignment

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Average Travel Nurse Pay in Illinois

These are average pay rates for travel nurses in Illinois. Actual pay varies by specialty, experience, and facility. Use our pay calculator to estimate your specific take-home pay.

Hourly Rate

$48/hr

Weekly Gross

$1,920

Annual

$99,840

GSA Per Diem Rates for Illinois

Lodging

$120/night

Meals

$64/day

Incidentals

$5/day

These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts for travel nurses in Illinois.

Tax Information for Illinois

State Income Tax 4.95%
Tax-Friendly for Travel Nurses Yes

Cost of Living in Illinois

Cost of Living Index

94.3

Below national average

Housing

Moderate

Utilities

Moderate

Popular Cities for Travel Nurses in Illinois

These are the most popular cities for travel nurse assignments in Illinois. Click on any city to see detailed pay information, cost of living, and job opportunities. Use our state comparison tool to compare pay across different states.

View all city pay guides to compare pay and cost of living across major US cities.

Top Hospitals in Illinois

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

Nursing License Requirements for Illinois

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

Resources for Travel Nurses in Illinois

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Cost of Living in Illinois

Average 1BR Rent

$1,200/mo

Cost of Living Index

94.3

National avg = 100

Housing Cost

Moderate

Tip: Use our pay calculator to see how your take-home pay compares to the cost of living in Illinois. Consider that rent in Illinois is lower than the national average.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do travel nurses make in Illinois?

Travel nurses in Illinois typically earn between $43 and $58 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $48/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate ranges from $53-68 per hour.

What are the GSA rates for 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 travel nurses can receive. For official rates, visit [GSA.gov](https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates).

Is Illinois tax-friendly for travel nurses?

Illinois has a state income tax rate of 4.95%, making it relatively tax-friendly for travel nurses. However, you'll still pay federal taxes on your taxable wages.

What is the cost of living in Illinois?

The cost of living index in Illinois is 94.3, which is below the national average. Housing costs are moderate, and utilities are moderate.

Do I need a separate license to work in Illinois?

Illinois is NOT part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so you will need to obtain a separate ${stateData.name} nursing license. The license costs $200 and typically takes 4-6 weeks to process.