Sources: Illinois Department of Central Management Services, Illinois CMS Alphabetic Index of Position Titles (FY 2027, effective July 1, 2026, corrected edition); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Illinois state pay plan Sourced
Published rates for each class, lowest first, effective July 1, 2026. These are the ranges Illinois sets for its own state employees; cities, counties and school districts have their own pay plans.
| Class and grade | Published rate |
|---|---|
| Corrections Nurse Trainee Class 09836 Grade RC-023-18-Q · RC-023 Registered Nurses | $6,474.00 – $8,787.00 a month $77,688 – $105,444 a year 8 steps
|
Grade RC-023-18-S · RC-023 Registered Nurses | $6,545.00 – $8,856.00 a month $78,540 – $106,272 a year 8 steps
|
Grade MS-19-4 · Merit Compensation System salary ranges (MS) | $6,135.00 – $8,790.00 a month $73,620 – $105,480 a year |
| Corrections Nurse I Class 09825 Grade RC-023-20-Q · RC-023 Registered Nurses | $7,034.00 – $9,550.00 a month $84,408 – $114,600 a year 8 steps
|
Grade RC-023-20-S · RC-023 Registered Nurses | $7,106.00 – $9,619.00 a month $85,272 – $115,428 a year 8 steps
|
Grade MS-21-4 · Merit Compensation System salary ranges (MS) | $6,460.00 – $9,337.00 a month $77,520 – $112,044 a year |
| Corrections Nurse II Class 09826 Grade RC-023-24-Q · RC-023 Registered Nurses | $7,909.00 – $10,754.00 a month $94,908 – $129,048 a year 8 steps
|
Grade RC-023-24-S · RC-023 Registered Nurses | $7,979.00 – $10,826.00 a month $95,748 – $129,912 a year 8 steps
|
Grade MS-25-4 · Merit Compensation System salary ranges (MS) | $7,195.00 – $10,485.00 a month $86,340 – $125,820 a year |
Rates are as the plan publishes them; "a year" figures are conversions. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Source: Illinois Department of Central Management Services, Illinois CMS Alphabetic Index of Position Titles (FY 2027, effective July 1, 2026, corrected edition). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pay in Illinois, all employers Sourced
Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141) in Illinois, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | IL |
|---|---|
| Workers | 138,910 |
| 10th percentile | $69,170 |
| Median | $95,990 |
| 90th percentile | $118,190 |
| National median, government employers | $100,490 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for Illinois
Certified Correctional Health Professional — Registered Nurse (CCHP-RN)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep- National Council Licensure Examination for Practical NursesEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Council Licensure Examination for Registered NursesEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Correctional Nurse page.