How much is the icu nurse vs nicu nurse pay gap in Illinois?

The estimated gap in Illinois is about $1,950 a year, or roughly 2% more for icu nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.

Are these Illinois figures exact?

No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Illinois wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Illinois's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.

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

ICU Nurse vs NICU Nurse salary in Illinois

In Illinois, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $109,260 a year versus $107,310 for nicu nurses, a gap of about $1,950 (roughly 2% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Illinois.

ICU Nurse — Illinois

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$109,260

At national

Hourly

$52.53/hr

Median $109,260

$77,210Middle 50%: $89,970–$125,830$153,970

Typical range: $89,970–$125,830; What most nurses earn
High end: $153,970; Top earners
Entry level: $77,210; Newer nurses

NICU Nurse — Illinois

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$107,310

At national

Hourly

$51.59/hr

Median $107,310

$75,830Middle 50%: $88,360–$123,590$151,220

Typical range: $88,360–$123,590; What most nurses earn
High end: $151,220; Top earners
Entry level: $75,830; Newer nurses

Why the gap in Illinois

Adult ICU and NICU nurses earn comparable pay because both are high-acuity critical-care RN specialties compensated on the same registered nurse wage base. Differences come down to unit, patient population, and certifications like CCRN versus RNC-NIC rather than a separate official wage category. The Illinois figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for Illinois's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national ICU Nurse vs NICU Nurse comparison or personalize the calculator.

ICU Nurse vs NICU Nurse in Illinois — FAQ

Do icu nurses or nicu nurses earn more in Illinois?: In Illinois, icu nurses earn more — an estimated $109,260 a year versus $107,310 for nicu nurses, a gap of about $1,950 (roughly 2% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Illinois's local pay level.
How much is the icu nurse vs nicu nurse pay gap in Illinois?: The estimated gap in Illinois is about $1,950 a year, or roughly 2% more for icu nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these Illinois figures exact?: No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Illinois wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Illinois's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.
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 for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. 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 figures for Illinois. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.