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.
Last updated: February 21, 2026
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.
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
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
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
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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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
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.
Chicago
Avg Pay: $52/hr
Est. Rent: $1,200/mo
View city guide →
Peoria
Avg Pay: $47/hr
Est. Rent: $1,200/mo
View city guide →
Rockford
Avg Pay: $46/hr
Est. Rent: $1,200/mo
View city guide →
View all state pay guides or search for specific cities using our calculator.
Illinois Pay by Nursing Specialty
Pay varies significantly by specialty. Select a specialty to see detailed salary data for Illinois:
ICU
~$53/hr in IL
Very High DemandER
~$52/hr in IL
Very High DemandOR
~$54/hr in IL
High DemandLabor & Delivery
~$50/hr in IL
High DemandMed-Surg
~$48/hr in IL
Very High DemandPACU
~$51/hr in IL
High DemandTop Hospitals in Illinois
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital
- Rush University Medical Center
- University of Chicago Medical Center
Nursing License Requirements for Illinois
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.