Travel nursing contracts in Illinois advertise a median of $2,416 a week, with the middle half between $2,261 and $2,629, across 196 open nursing contracts on CircleRN. These are advertised weekly totals before tax, usually including tax-free stipends; for almost all postings the figure is the top of an advertised range. Not take-home pay. Every open contract is on the Illinois job board.
Travel nurses in Illinois have access to 89 furnished rental listings, 17 reviewed hospitals, and ongoing pay data on CircleRN. All data is submitted by working travel nurses.
433 openings across 36 cities from $720–$3,504/week.
40 hospitals in Illinois are hiring travel nurses, 425 openings in all. Each page lists the openings by specialty with advertised weekly pay, cost of living and housing nearby.
89 furnished rentals with a median rent of $2,000/month.
Assignments in Illinois pay about the national median for the same specialties, across 196 open listings. Each opening is compared with the national median for its own specialty.
Statewide, prices run at the national average overall. Individual metros vary, so check the city page for where you are going.
| Category | Index | vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 100.0 | at the national average |
| Housing | 93.9 | 6% lower |
| Utilities | 85.0 | 15% lower |
| Groceries and goods | 103.8 | 4% higher |
| Services | 100.2 | at the national average |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024, where 100 is the national average.
A two-bedroom runs about $1,470/month, the median across 237 Illinois cities (HUD Fair Market Rent, 2025, utilities included).
The federal ceiling on tax-free lodging reimbursement across Illinois runs $113–$238 per night depending on the area, plus up to $92 a day for meals (GSA, FY2027). That is a maximum, not what agencies pay. Look up the exact rate for any ZIP code.
Illinois is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so you need a Illinois license to work here even if you hold a multistate license. Check your license with the compact checker.
Hospitals in Illinois reviewed by travel nurses
Of the 14 nursing specialties with open contracts in Illinois, Cath Lab pays the most at $3,061 per week and Pediatrics the least at $2,156.
| Specialty | Open contracts | Median weekly |
|---|---|---|
| Med-Surg | 41 | $2,342 |
| ER | 30 | $2,288 |
| ICU | 24 | $2,390 |
| Telemetry | 19 | $2,431 |
| OR | 16 | $2,807 |
| PCU | 14 | $2,310 |
| CVICU | 9 | $2,771 |
| PICU | 7 | $2,644 |
| Cath Lab | 7 | $3,061 |
| L&D | 7 | $2,323 |
| NICU | 5 | $2,599 |
| PACU | 4 | $2,259 |
| Oncology | 4 | $2,521 |
| Pediatrics | 3 | $2,156 |