Nursing Assistants Salary in Illinois: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Nursing Assistants salary really buy you in Illinois?

Illinois is near the US average cost of living

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary

$44,750

Median annual (2024)

→ -1.3%

Real Purchasing Power

$44,175

COL-adjusted (RPP=101.3)

Illinois Cost of Living Index

Illinois's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 101.3, meaning prices are 1.3% higher the national average. A Nursing Assistants earning $44,750 in Illinois has the equivalent purchasing power of $44,175 in an average-cost US state.

IL: 101.3

Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Illinois's cost of living.

Percentile	Nominal Salary	COL-Adjusted	Difference
10th Percentile (P10)	$36,270	$35,804	$-465
25th Percentile (P25)	$38,520	$38,025	$-494
Median (P50)	$44,750	$44,175	$-574
75th Percentile (P75)	$48,110	$47,492	$-617
90th Percentile (P90)	$50,800	$50,148	$-651

Key Insight

Illinois's cost of living is close to the national average, so $44,750 keeps most of its value at $44,175 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

Best States for Nursing Assistants (After Cost of Living)

Where does Nursing Assistants salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. North Dakota

$49,819

RPP 88.7

2. Wisconsin

$46,858

RPP 92.3

3. Nevada

$46,742

RPP 96.4

4. Minnesota

$46,653

RPP 97.7

5. Oregon

$45,393

RPP 106.6

6. Maine

$45,277

RPP 100.8

7. Alaska

$44,941

RPP 102.0

8. Illinois

$44,175

RPP 101.3

9. New York

$44,042

RPP 107.6

10. Washington

$43,952

RPP 109.8

Illinois ranks #8 out of 50 states for Nursing Assistants after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Nursing Assistants in Illinois after cost of living?

A Nursing Assistants in Illinois earns a median salary of $44,750 per year. After adjusting for Illinois's cost of living (RPP=101.3), the real purchasing power is $44,175 — a -1.3% difference.

Is Illinois expensive to live in?

Illinois's cost of living is 1.3% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Illinois is 101.3 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Nursing Assistants in Illinois: $44,750 x (100 / 101.3) = $44,175. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.