Registered Nurse job market in Chicago (2026)
The Registered Nurse job market in Chicago is highly active, with 1,392 open positions across 15+ employers. Hiring momentum is strong, with 999 new listings in the past month and 415 in the last week alone.
What can you expect to earn?
The median salary for Registered Nurse roles in Chicago is $84,492, with most positions paying between $79,234 and $85,000. Top performers can earn $108,624 or more at the 90th percentile. Note that 99% of listings in this market don't disclose salary, so actual compensation varies — especially for negotiable roles. For higher compensation, consider Rochester, NY where the median is $192,500.
Skills that employers want
Analysis of job descriptions in Chicago shows the most requested skills are Nursing, Patient Care, BLS, Excel, and EHR. Including these keywords in your resume can significantly improve your ATS match rate. Our Registered Nurse resume example shows how to integrate these naturally.
Who's hiring?
The most active employers for Registered Nurse positions in Chicago include TravelNurseSource, LocumJobsOnline, ScionHealth, Advocate Aurora Health, and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Use JobsChat AI to filter by specific companies or discover employers that match your preferences.
Ready to apply?
Start with our Registered Nurse resume example. Pair it with a tailored cover letter. Then use JobsChat AI to search all 1,392 positions and generate application materials in minutes. Browse Registered Nurse jobs in other cities or explore all jobs in Chicago.