Nurse Practitioner Salary in Chicago, IL: $136,285 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Chicago, IL earns a median $136,285/year (≈ $65.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $131,556 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, nurse practitioners can expect a median annual salary of $136,285, reflecting a strong position in the job market for advanced practice roles in healthcare. The salary spectrum ranges from $109,926 at the 10th percentile to $170,434 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential depending on experience and specialization. Official estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data highlight variations across specialties, with Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) typically earning more than their Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) counterparts due to the heightened demand in mental health services. This dynamic landscape emphasizes the importance of specialization when considering nursing jobs in Chicago, IL.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $109,926 | $52.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,805 | $59.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,285 | $65.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,296 | $74.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,434 | $81.94 |
Median Salary Position
0.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,508 (2026 est.). At $136,285, the local median is 0.42% below the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chicago: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chicago Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Chicago median: $136,285/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $134,007 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $136,864 | -0.42% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Chicago, IL earn a median of $136,285 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.42% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 1.70% above the Illinois state average of $134,007.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $136,285 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $131,556 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,140
2025 BLS Actual
$131,740
2026 Current Est.
$136,285
2019–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,285 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,987 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 23.0% from $107,140 (2019) to $131,740 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,987 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,847 (31.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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) | $109,926 – $122,805 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,805 – $136,285 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,285 – $154,296 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,296 – $170,434 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Chicago
There are currently 6,530 nurse practitioners employed across the city, a notable figure that indicates robust demand for advanced practice nurses. The cost of living in Chicago, with a CoL index of 103.595, suggests that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power can be a concern. Pay differentiation among employers is significant; hospital outpatient clinics often provide the highest salaries, followed closely by specialty clinics and telehealth platforms. Factors driving this wage disparity include the nurse practitioner's area of focus, as PMHNPs tend to command higher salaries due to the booming mental health industry. Additionally, opportunities for productivity bonuses and side incomes from telehealth can enhance overall earnings. To maximize pay, practitioners should consider specializing in high-demand areas, actively seek out positions that offer performance incentives, and take advantage of full-practice authority where applicable, as this can lead to greater independence and potentially higher compensation.
More salary data for Chicago, 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 $131,740 for nurse practitionersin the Chicago 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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