Registered Nurses Salary in East Central Illinois

In East Central Illinois, registered nurses earn a median annual salary of $81,950 and a median hourly wage of $39.40. This is slightly below the national median annual salary for registered nurses, which stands at $93,600 according to data from May 2025 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (BLS OEWS). The local earnings indicate that a typical nurse in East Central Illinois earns less than their counterparts across the United States. When compared to household incomes within the region, registered nursing salaries generally position these professionals above the median for individual earners but may vary when considered against dual-income households or those with multiple sources of income.

Entry-level registered nurses in East Central Illinois typically start at the 10th percentile, earning around $61,030 annually, while more experienced nurses can earn up to the 90th percentile, reaching salaries as high as $103,180. The difference in earnings between entry-level and experienced workers is driven by factors such as years of experience, advanced certifications or specializations, shifts worked (e.g., night or weekend shifts), and roles within healthcare institutions that might require additional skills or responsibilities. As registered nurses progress through their careers, they often see salary growth due to increased expertise, leadership roles, and the ability to negotiate higher pay based on demonstrated value in complex clinical environments.