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State comparison · 2025

Registered Nurses salary: California vs Illinois

Occupation

Registered Nurses in California earn a median of $140,270. In Illinois, $95,990. After cost-of-living, the gap is 32% — not 46.1%.

Nominal pay gap
+46.1%
California vs Illinois
COL-adjusted gap
+32%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Registered Nurses

Median
$140,270
p25
$122,440
p75
$173,170
p10
$101,260
p90
$213,320
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-86%
See full breakdown for California

Illinois

Registered Nurses

Median
$95,990
p25
$80,020
p75
$105,960
p10
$69,170
p90
$118,190
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
100.0
Hiring velocity (180d)
-74%
See full breakdown for Illinois

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.