How much does a nursing assistant make in Illinois?

A nursing assistant in Illinois earns an estimated $42,260 a year — about $20.32 an hour, with most between $37,260 and $47,220. That's roughly in line with the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and Illinois's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.

Is Illinois a good state for nursing assistants?

For pay, Illinois sits roughly in line with the national average for nursing assistants. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $42,260 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.

Which city in Illinois pays nursing assistants the most?

Among Illinois metros we track, Chicago tends to have the highest estimated pay for nursing assistants, at roughly $43,530 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.

How does Illinois nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?

The national figure for a nursing assistant is about $42,260 a year, versus an estimated $42,260 in Illinois — roughly in line with the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.

Why are some figures verified and others estimates?

National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

Illinois · IL

Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary in Illinois

A nursing assistant in Illinois earns an estimated $42,260 a year ($20.32/hr) — roughly in line with the U.S. average, with most between $37,260 and $47,220. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.

Nursing Assistant (CNA) — Illinois

Estimated

Median annual pay

$42,260

At national

Hourly

$20.32/hr

Median $42,260

$33,940Middle 50%: $37,260–$47,220$51,980

Typical range: $37,260–$47,220; What most nurses earn
High end: $51,980; Top earners
Entry level: $33,940; Newer nurses

Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay by city in Illinois

Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.

City	Est. annual	Est. hourly
Chicago	$43,530	$20.93

All Illinois nurse pay

Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay in nearby-paying states

How Illinois compares to states with similar nursing assistant pay.

All states

Other nursing roles in Illinois

Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.

Licensed Practical NurseEst. $64,400/yr Registered NurseEst. $97,550/yr

What affects nursing assistant pay in Illinois

Pay near the national median; large Chicago market. For a nursing assistant specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.

How this estimate was calculated

The Illinois figure adjusts the national RN average of $42,260 for local pay levels — a factor of 1.00× (about even with the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official Illinois wage — until verified local figures and nurse submissions are loaded.

Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. When official state wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.

Use this state estimate as a starting point

It’s a starting point for Illinois, based on national pay and local cost of living until official state data is loaded — not a guaranteed local wage.
Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in Illinois make this page more precise over time.

Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary (national)All Illinois nurse pay Personalize the calculator

Nursing Assistant salary in Illinois — FAQ

How much does a nursing assistant make in Illinois?: A nursing assistant in Illinois earns an estimated $42,260 a year — about $20.32 an hour, with most between $37,260 and $47,220. That's roughly in line with the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and Illinois's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
Is Illinois a good state for nursing assistants?: For pay, Illinois sits roughly in line with the national average for nursing assistants. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $42,260 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
Which city in Illinois pays nursing assistants the most?: Among Illinois metros we track, Chicago tends to have the highest estimated pay for nursing assistants, at roughly $43,530 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
How does Illinois nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?: The national figure for a nursing assistant is about $42,260 a year, versus an estimated $42,260 in Illinois — roughly in line with the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
Why are some figures verified and others estimates?: National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

Source & confidence— An estimate based on national nurse pay and local cost of living. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.

Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)

Illinois figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 1.00×).

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figure — national nursing assistant pay adjusted for Illinois. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.