How Much Do RNs Make an Hour in Chicago?
Registered nurses, or RNs, perform evaluation of assigned patients to develop, coordinate and implement care plans, adjusting the plans when appropriate. They answer questions from patients and their families about the patient's condition and the care being provided. They also provide direct care to patients, such as administering medicines and other treatments. Some RNs supervise other nursing staff. An RN in Chicago makes an hourly rate a bit higher than the national average for this occupation.
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Requirements
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Like all other states, Illinois requires RNs to have a state license to practice. Prospective registered nurses must graduate from an accredited school of nursing with either an associate's degree in nursing or a bachelor of science in nursing. They also must pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse.
Statewide Salary
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The average salary for RNs in Illinois as of May 2009 was $31.46 per hour, or $65,440 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle 50 percent on the earnings scale were making $25.54 to $37.05 per hour. The top 10 percent had hourly pay rates of $43.37 and higher. Only the bottom 10 percent were making $31.46 per hour or less.
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Comparisons
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Average pay was higher in the Chicago area, but the bottom 10 percent dipped lower. The bureau reports the average salary for RNs in the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet area in 2009 at $33.35 per hour, or $69,370 per year. The middle 50 percent were making $27.64 to $39.07 per hour. The bottom 10 percent had pay rates at $23.17 and below, and the top 10 percent were earning $44.89 or higher. The average pay rate was similar in the greater Chicago area, including parts of Indiana and Wisconsin, at $33.17 per hour.
Types of Employment
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Average pay for RNs in Illinois is very similar to the national average, with the Chicago area being higher. Nationwide, the average hourly rate for RNs in 2009 was $31.99, and the annual salary $66,530. The job search website Indeed.com shows over 1,000 job openings for RNs in Chicago and over 2,000 in the greater Chicago area in January 2011. Positions were available in critical care units, emergency rooms, home health care agencies, hospices, hospitals, intensive care units, medical centers, nursing care facilities, orthopedic clinics, rehabilitation centers and senior living centers.
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References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Registered Nurses Occupational Employment and Wages
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment Statistics Query System
- Indeed.com: Registered Nurse Jobs in Chicago, IL
- Indeed.com: Registered Nurse Jobs in Greater Chicago, IL
- Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules: RN Licensure Examination
- Photo Credit medical objects image by JASON WINTER from Fotolia.com
