Nursing Assistant Salary in Chicago, IL
Nursing Assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $46,940 a year — 11% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,718 take-home, or $3,143 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nursing assistant salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,453
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,910
- Medicare (1.45%)$681
- Illinois income tax$2,179
- Take-home pay$37,718
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,980 | $18.74 | $31,716 | $2,643 |
| 25th percentile | $42,940 | $20.64 | $34,702 | $2,892 |
| Median (50th) | $46,940 | $22.57 | $37,718 | $3,143 |
| 75th percentile | $49,060 | $23.59 | $39,316 | $3,276 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,450 | $26.18 | $43,380 | $3,615 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,940 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median nursing assistant's $37,718 take-home pay has the buying power of $36,409 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Nursing Assistant jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.09).
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #123 of 355 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks, ND | $45,740 | $38,932 | $44,924 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $46,720 | $39,720 | $43,636 |
| 3 | Vineland, NJ | $48,890 | $40,310 | $42,003 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $46,840 | $38,129 | $41,982 |
| 5 | Yakima, WA | $47,080 | $40,009 | $41,874 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $47,830 | $40,611 | $41,634 |
| 7 | Mankato, MN | $46,430 | $37,821 | $41,582 |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 123 | Chicago, IL | $46,940 | $37,718 | $36,409 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 355 metros →
Nursing Assistant salaries elsewhere in Illinois
- Decatur, IL — $41,990
- Peoria, IL — $43,040
- Bloomington, IL — $43,180
- Rockford, IL — $40,140
- Springfield, IL — $40,070
- Champaign, IL — $39,890
- Kankakee, IL — $37,900
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Chicago, IL?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $46,940 a year, or about $22.57 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $42,940 and $49,060.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $46,940 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $37,718 a year ($3,143 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,179 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 11% above the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $36,409 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #123 of 355 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 49% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $72,230
- Occupational Therapy Assistant — $67,840
- Massage Therapist — $61,200
- Dental Assistant — $48,950
- Medical Equipment Preparer — $48,630
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $48,440
- Medical Assistant — $47,270
- Phlebotomist — $47,190
- Orderly — $39,640
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $39,280
- Medical Transcriptionist — $38,700
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $38,180