Registered Nurse Salaries in Southern Illinois: 2020 BLS Data

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2020), registered nurses in the Southern Illinois nonmetropolitan area earned:

• Mean annual wage: $68,120
• National mean (same period): $64,690
• Top 10%: > $95,000/year
• Bottom 10%: < $50,000/year

Context

• Southern Illinois includes areas like Carbondale, Marion, Harrisburg, and surrounding rural counties.
• Wages are higher than national average, partly due to recruitment challenges in rural regions and lower cost of living vs. Chicago metro.
• Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro RN mean: ~$78,000 (same period).

Factors Influencing Individual Salary

• Experience (years, specialty)
• Education (BSN vs. ADN; certifications)
• Employer type (hospital > outpatient > nursing home > home health)
• Shift differentials (nights, weekends, charge pay)
• Union contracts

Current Data

For 2023–2024 figures, consult the BLS OEWS or Illinois Department of Employment Security. Wages have risen ~15–25% since 2020 due to pandemic-driven demand and inflation.

Southern Illinois offers competitive RN wages relative to its cost of living, with opportunity for growth through specialization and advanced practice.