With over 69 million residents, Illinois is the largest state in the Midwest by population. This means that there's a high demand for healthcare services and great job prospects for nurses who want to work in the Prairie State. Whether you're a new grad or a seasoned nurse looking for nursing jobs in Illinois, IntelyCare can help you find the right role for you. Take a look at all the full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, per diem, and travel nurse jobs in Illinois and find out what else the state has to offer.
Quick Facts About Illinois Nursing Jobs
- Does IL belong to the Nurse Licensure Compact? No. Our article on the Illinois Nurse Practice Act covers the nursing rules and regulations in this state.
- How much do nurses make in IL? The average annual salaries for nursing jobs in Illinois depend on your license/certification:
- NP salary in Illinois: $126,900
- RN salary in Illinois: $87,650
- LPN salary in Illinois: $64,630
- CNA salary in Illinois: $41,300
- Where can I learn more about IL requirements for nurse licenses? Visit the Illinois Board of Nursing's website for the latest information. You can also check out our article that outlines the nursing license renewal process in Illinois.
- What are the most populous cities in IL? The top five IL cities by population are:
- Chicago
- Aurora
- Joliet
- Naperville
- Rockford
What to Know When Pursuing Nursing Jobs in Illinois
If you want to work in Illinois, understanding how to deliver culturally competent care is important since many areas of the state are quite diverse. Roughly 76% of the population is White, 19% is Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% is Black or African American, 6.3% is Asian, 0.6% is American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.1% is Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 2.3% is two or more races. The median age in Illinois is 39.5 years old, which is just slightly above the national average.
The state needs nurses to care for all types of patient populations across various settings. You can explore some of the most popular roles like:
- CRNA jobs in Illinois
- Nurse midwife jobs in Illinois
- Nurse practitioner jobs in Illinois
- Registered nurse jobs in Illinois
- Licensed practical nurse jobs in Illinois
- Certified nursing assistant jobs in Illinois
- Certified medical assistant jobs in Illinois
- Surgical tech jobs in Illinois
- Home health aide jobs in Illinois
- Caregiver jobs in Illinois
- Student nurse jobs in Illinois
Working in Illinois
Healthcare practitioners and support roles are among the top 10 largest occupations in Illinois. There's a high demand for nurses in particular, with an average of over 7,000 nursing jobs opening up in the state each year. This shortage isn't expected to go away anytime soon, as nearly half of Illinois' RNs are over 55 years old and approaching retirement.
If you're interested in pursuing work in acute care, you'll have plenty of job options since hospitals are the largest employers for IL nurses. Take a look at current openings in some of the state's top facilities and medical systems:
- Ascension
- Advocate Aurora Health
- Carle Health
- Endeavor Health
- Loyola University Health System
- OSF HealthCare
- UChicago Medicine
- Northwestern Medical Group
Even for post-acute care nurses, IL offers many opportunities. You can explore openings in any of the more than 700 long-term care/nursing facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health. If you're more interested in public health roles specifically, there are various surveillance and case management jobs offered by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. These can be ideal options for those seeking work from home nursing jobs in Illinois as well.
If you dislike driving to work, Illinois offers robust public transit systems. The average commute time is 28.7 minutes (above the national average), so joining the 9.4% of residents who take public transportation can also be a good way to avoid traffic. However, Illinois is still a very driveable state, with roughly 73% of people driving alone to work and 8% carpooling.
Need help looking after your family while you're busy taking care of patients? The Illinois Department of Human Services offers childcare assistance programs to help you find someone you can trust. For your furry friends, there are also plenty of pet sitters throughout the state, so you should have a fairly easy time finding one in your area.
Living in Illinois
Located in the heart of the Midwest, Illinois offers a little something for everyone. It's home to the bustling metropolitan area of Chicago, which is the third-largest city in the country. The nearby suburbs like Naperville are also often voted among the best places to live or raise a family. So, there are tons of great neighborhoods where you can choose to settle down.
Chicago sits along the shores of Lake Michigan, which gives you incredible views from the high-rise buildings scattered across the city. If you want to get away from the city entirely, you can also go hiking or biking in popular state parks like Mattiesian and Starved Rock.
The diversity in Illinois means that you'll have no problem immersing yourself in a rich cultural scene. You can try authentic global flavors, from Pilsen's top taco shops to Chinatown's spiciest Sichuan dishes. And, of course, you can't forget about trying the iconic deep dish pizza, which was invented right in the city of Chicago.
Beyond food, there's an abundance of famous performance venues and museums to explore. You can spend your day visiting the Art Institute of Chicago or the Field Museum, and then catch an award-winning Goodman Theatre show at night.
The weather in Illinois can be quite variable. The southern parts of the state have milder winters than the northern parts, but overall, the state experiences four distinct seasons. Summers can reach an average high of 86 degrees, and winters reach an average low of 17 degrees.
In addition to offering nursing wages that are comparable to other states, Illinois also has a cost of living index that's 6.3% lower than the national average. This means that you can likely find affordable prices for housing and other everyday necessities.
Find Your Next Nursing Job on IntelyCare
Ready to elevate your career and find great nursing jobs in Illinois? IntelyCare has your back. Find out how we can connect you with jobs that match your skills, preferences, and lifestyle.