What to Pay a Travel Nurse in Chicago, IL (2026)
How to set your Travel Nurse pay range in Chicago
Three pay positions, modeled against current Chicago market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
Travel Nurse salary percentile distribution in Chicago, IL
Where the Chicago market actually sits for Travel Nurse base pay.
Most Chicago employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($125,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $108,000 and a max of $148,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Illinois pay transparency compliance for Travel Nurse job postings
What you must post when hiring a Travel Nurse in Illinois.
| Requirement | Applies When | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Pay scale in job posting | 15+ employees; role in IL | Up to $10,000 per violation |
| Benefits description | All covered postings | Same schedule |
For a Travel Nurse role in Chicago, a compliant good-faith range looks like $108,000 to $148,000. A compliant range for this role in Chicago is $108,000–$148,000.
Top Travel Nurse employers in Chicago — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring Travel Nurses in the Chicago metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aya Healthcare | Travel agency | $118K–$148K | Common (per contract) |
| Cross Country Healthcare | Travel agency | $115K–$145K | Common |
| Medical Solutions | Travel agency | $115K–$144K | Common |
| Direct contracts (Northwestern, Rush) | Academic hospital direct | $132K–$162K | Hospital-direct premium |
| Advocate Internal Travel Pool | Health system internal | $122K–$152K | Internal pool premium |
Travel Nurse talent supply and hiring difficulty in Chicago
How hard is it to fill a Travel Nurse role in Chicago.
Skill premiums Travel Nurse candidates command in Chicago, IL
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| ICU (CCRN) | +15–22% | Very high |
| ER (CEN) | +12–18% | Very high |
| OR / L&D | +12–18% | Very high |
| Crisis surge bonus | +30–70% during | Episodic |
Travel Nurse total compensation in Chicago — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for Travel Nurses in Chicago. "Prevalence" reflects share of Chicago disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Chicago Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Taxed hourly base | $45–$62/hr (~$1,800–$2,500/wk) | 100% |
| Housing stipend (untaxed) | $1,800–$2,800/wk | ~100% |
| Meals & incidentals | $300–$475/wk | ~100% |
| Travel reimbursement | $500–$1,500 per contract | ~85% |
| Completion bonus | $500–$2,500 per 13-wk | ~58% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$152K–$182K (annualized) | — |
Shift differentials and sign-on bonuses are typically table stakes rather than differentiators. Tuition reimbursement for LPN-to-RN bridge programs is increasingly the lever that wins competitive offers, particularly for early-career candidates.
Travel Nurse pay by setting in Chicago — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the Travel Nurse range splits by employer type in the Chicago metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICU | $145,000 | $128K–$165K | Very high |
| ER | $138,000 | $122K–$158K | Very high |
| OR | $142,000 | $125K–$162K | Very high |
| L&D | $138,000 | $122K–$158K | Very high |
| Med-surg / telemetry | $118,000 | $105K–$135K | High |
Travel Nurse salary in Chicago vs. other Illinois and nearby metros
What you'd pay if you hired in a nearby metro instead.
| Location | Median Base | vs. Chicago | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $125,000 | — | Above national avg |
| Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MI | $108,000 | −13.6% | Moderate |
| Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN-WI | $125,000 | 0.0% | Tight |
| Indianapolis, IN | $102,000 | −18.4% | Moderate |
| Illinois statewide | $115,000 | −8.0% | — |
| U.S. national | $118,000 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a Travel Nurse in Chicago, IL
Related Travel Nurse pay benchmarks — Illinois metros and nearby nursing roles
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Data refreshed May 15, 2026. Next scheduled update: August 15, 2026.
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