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Nursing jobs in Illinois 2026
Vacancies, salaries, EB-3 demand and licensing — verified against BLS OEWS 2025 + HRSA NCHWA 2026.
RN Surplus
+9,370
Surplus -8%
Median Annual Salary
$94,360
$45.37/hr
COL-Adjusted
$77,071
COL index: 98
Compact State?
No
Single-state license
Key insight
In Illinois, there is a surplus of 9,370 registered nurses as of 2026 — 8% of the state's nursing workforce demand. Median RN salary is $94,360 per year. After cost of living adjustment, purchasing power equals $77,071 in national terms. Because of the surplus, EB-3 sponsorship opportunities here are limited — better options exist in shortage states.
Federal nursing jobs in Illinois
Registered Nurse
Veterans Health Administration · Anchorage, Alaska
$38871 - $228000 PA
Registered Nurse- Assistant Nurse Manager- Acute Care 9 West
Veterans Health Administration · Hines, Illinois
$83984 - $164654 PA
Registered Nurse Nursing Geriatrics
Veterans Health Administration · Danville, Illinois
$68958 - $136480 PA
Registered Nurse Acute Care
Veterans Health Administration · Danville, Illinois
$68958 - $136480 PA
Registered Nurse Ambulatory Care PACT
Veterans Health Administration · Danville, Illinois
$71290 - $136480 PA
Top hiring cities
- • Chicago
- • Aurora
- • Naperville
State nursing board
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Endorsement fee: $75 · NCLEX attempts allowed: 8/year
Licensing portal EB-3 sponsors placing nurses in Illinois
Independently verified agencies with zero fee to nurses.
Health Carousel International (PassportUSA)
No fee to nurse
AMN Healthcare / Connetics USA
No fee to nurse
O'Grady Peyton International
No fee to nurse
Medliant International
No fee to nurse
Conexus MedStaff
No fee to nurse
Wayne Staffing USA (NYC Specialist)
No fee to nurse