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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nursery Nurse in Illinois is $90,346 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.
However, a Nursery Nurse's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Nursery Nurse Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $100,887 | $8,407 | $1,940 | $49 |
| Average | $90,346 | $7,529 | $1,737 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,525 | $6,877 | $1,587 | $40 |
Prime HealthCare - Aurora, IL
Riverside HealthCare - Kankakee, IL
Endeavor Health Services - Elmhurst, IL
Northwestern Medicine - Lake Forest, IL
A Nursery Nurse's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Nursery Nurse's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Nursery Nurse | $87,030 |
| Intermediate Level Nursery Nurse | $87,608 |
| Senior Level Nursery Nurse | $90,346 |
| Specialist Level Nursery Nurse | $94,687 |
| Expert Level Nursery Nurse | $94,997 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Nursery Nurses. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Nursery Nurse roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 25% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Nursery Nurse positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Nursery Nurse as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $99,381 | $48.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Nursery Nurse's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $100,887 | $8,407 | $1,940 | $49 |
| Average | $90,346 | $7,529 | $1,737 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,525 | $6,877 | $1,587 | $40 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Nursery Nurse job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Endeavor Health
Elmhurst, IL
Endeavor Health | Elmhurst, IL
Special Care Nursery Nurse. Hourly Pay Range: $36.00 - $55.80 - The hourly pay rate offered is determined by a candidate's expertise and years of experienc... more
10 Days Ago
Triage Staffing
Mount Vernon, IL
Triage Staffing | Mount Vernon, IL
Triage Staffing is seeking a travel nurse RN LDRP - Labor Delivery Recovery & Postpartum for a travel nursing job in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Job Descriptio... more
8 Days Ago
OhioHealth
PICKERINGTON, OH
CHRISTUS Health
SAN MARCOS, TX
CHRISTUS Health | SAN MARCOS, TX
Description CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – San Marcos, which originated in 1923 as Hays County Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Memorial Hospital, opened at i... more
6 Days Ago
CHRISTUS Health
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
CHRISTUS Health | CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
Description Summary: The competent Nurse, in the same or similar clinical setting, practices independently and demonstrates an awareness of all relevant as... more
6 Days Ago
LifeBridge Health, Inc.
WESTMINSTER, MD
LifeBridge Health, Inc. | WESTMINSTER, MD
Job Summary The Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating, and, when appropriate, delegating patient care to a... more
6 Days Ago
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