How much is the telemetry nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in Illinois?

The estimated gap in Illinois is about $2,930 a year, or roughly 3% more for telemetry 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

Telemetry Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse salary in Illinois

In Illinois, telemetry nurses earn more — an estimated $100,480 a year versus $97,550 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $2,930 (roughly 3% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Illinois.

Telemetry Nurse — Illinois

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$100,480

At national

Hourly

$48.31/hr

Median $100,480

$71,010Middle 50%: $82,740–$115,720$141,590

Typical range: $82,740–$115,720; What most nurses earn
High end: $141,590; Top earners
Entry level: $71,010; Newer nurses

Med-Surg Nurse — Illinois

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$97,550

At national

Hourly

$46.90/hr

Median $97,550

$68,940Middle 50%: $80,330–$112,350$137,470

Typical range: $80,330–$112,350; What most nurses earn
High end: $137,470; Top earners
Entry level: $68,940; Newer nurses

Why the gap in Illinois

Telemetry and med-surg nurse pay is close, since both are staff RN roles built on the same wage base. Telemetry (cardiac-monitored) units run at slightly higher acuity, which can nudge pay and differentials up, but the biggest factors are the local market, shift, and experience rather than a separate official wage. 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 Telemetry Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse comparison or personalize the calculator.

Telemetry Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse in Illinois — FAQ

Do telemetry nurses or med-surg nurses earn more in Illinois?: In Illinois, telemetry nurses earn more — an estimated $100,480 a year versus $97,550 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $2,930 (roughly 3% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Illinois's local pay level.
How much is the telemetry nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in Illinois?: The estimated gap in Illinois is about $2,930 a year, or roughly 3% more for telemetry 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.