"@type": "Answer",
"text": "BLS OEWS May 2025 shows the Chicago metro median at $100,490 vs. southern Illinois nonmetro median around $67,610 — a $32,880 nominal gap. For ER nurses, the gap is wider because Chicago trauma center premiums push the ceiling to $55–$57/hr while rural critical access hospitals in Southern Illinois typically pay no specialty differential. Cost-of-living partially offsets the gap: the BEA Regional Price Parity index puts Chicago at about 111 vs. southern Illinois near 88–90, so the real purchasing-power gap is narrower than the nominal figure."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What do travel ER nurses earn on Illinois contracts in 2026?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Travel ER contracts in Illinois average $2,149/week all-in, with Chicago metro placements reaching $2,300–$2,600/week. Illinois is not an NLC compact state, so travel nurses must hold an active Illinois RN license through endorsement from IDPR — a 4–8 week process. The non-compact status shrinks the candidate pool, supporting higher travel rates. Downstate placements run $1,900–$2,200/week with lower cost-of-living housing stipends."
}
}
]
}