Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary in Illinois
A nursing assistant in Illinois earns an estimated $45,960 a year ($22.10/hr) — about 9% above the U.S. average, with most between $39,420 and $48,380. 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
Verified public wage dataMedian annual pay
$45,960
+9% vs nationalHourly
$22.10/hr
- Typical range
- $39,420–$48,380
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $54,050
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $37,590
- 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 | $46,940 | $22.57 |
Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay in nearby-paying states
How Illinois compares to states with similar nursing assistant pay.
Other nursing roles in Illinois
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
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.
Where this figure comes from
This is the actual median wage reported for Illinois in official U.S. government wage data — about 9% above the U.S. average. It is measured from employer-reported payroll, not estimated from a national average.
In Illinois, the lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,590 and the highest-paid 10% about $54,050. Where you land depends on specialty, shift, overtime, union status, employer type, and years of experience.
Source year: 2025. Updated when new official wage data is published.
How to use this state figure
- It’s the median actually reported for Illinois — half of nurses earn more, half earn less. A midpoint, not an offer you’re guaranteed.
- 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 salary in Illinois — FAQ
- How much does a nursing assistant make in Illinois?
- A nursing assistant in Illinois earns an estimated $45,960 a year — about $22.10 an hour, with most between $39,420 and $48,380. That's about 9% above 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 about 9% above the national average for nursing assistants. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $45,960 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 $46,940 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 $45,960 in Illinois — about 9% above 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— A verified figure from official U.S. public wage data.
BLS OEWS (May 2025, state)
Illinois figures are published directly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Illinois (May 2025). They are not estimated or adjusted.
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national nursing assistant pay adjusted for Illinois. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.