Among Illinois’ 12 metropolitan areas, Chicago-Joliet-Naperville was the only area to have wages significantly above the national average for both registered nurses and for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Charlene Peiffer noted that in contrast, Cape Girardeau-Jackson, Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, St. Louis, and Springfield all had wages significantly below those of the nation for both nursing occupations. Nationwide, the average (mean) wage for registered nurses was $67,930, and for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, $42,400. (See table A. For comprehensive definitions of metropolitan areas in Illinois, please see Technical Note.)

Of the 12 metropolitan areas located entirely or partially in the state, the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville area had the largest number of registered nurses (85,380) and licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (13,330). The St. Louis metropolitan area, which includes eight counties in Illinois, employed 33,580 registered nurses. Peoria and Rockford were the only other areas where employment exceeded 4,000 for registered nurses. St. Louis employed 7,130 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses; no other area in the state had more than 1,000 jobs in this occupation. (See table B.)

Wages for registered nurses in metropolitan areas in Illinois

Chicago-Joliet-Naperville was the only metropolitan area in the state with significantly higher wages for registered nurses ($70,120 per year) compared to the U.S. average. In contrast, 8 of the 12 metropolitan areas had significantly lower wages for registered nurses, of which 3—Cape Girardeau-Jackson, Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, and Peoria—averaged more than $10,000 below that of the nation. (See table A.)

Wages for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in metropolitan areas in Illinois

Annual mean wages for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses were significantly higher than the nationwide average of $42,400 in three of Illinois’ metropolitan areas—Champaign-Urbana ($50,200), Chicago-Joliet-Naperville ($45,750), and Rockford ($44,370). In contrast, five metropolitan areas had wages significantly lower than the U.S. average, with Cape Girardeau-Jackson ($34,620) and Davenport-Moline-Rock Island $35,690) among the lowest-paid. (See table A.)

These statistics are from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, a federal-state cooperative program between BLS and State Workforce Agencies, in this case, the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the Indiana and Wisconsin Departments of Workforce Development, and the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Technical Note

The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey is a semiannual mail survey measuring occupational employment and wage rates for wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments in the United States. Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are also surveyed, but their data are not included in the national estimates. OES estimates are constructed from a sample of about 1.2 million establishments. Each year, forms are mailed to two semiannual panels of approximately 200,000 establishments in May and the other in November. The overall national response rate for the six panels is 76.6 percent based on establishments and 72.9 percent based on employment. May 2012 estimates are based on responses from six semiannual panels collected over a 3-year period: May 2012, November 2011, May 2011, November 2010, May 2010, and November 2009. For more information about OES concepts and methodology, go to www.bls.gov/news.release/ocwage.tn.htm.

With the release of the May 2012 estimates, OES data are based on the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system for the first time. The OES survey provides estimates of employment and hourly and annual wages for wage and salary workers in 22 major occupational groups and more than 800 detailed occupations for the nation, states, metropolitan statistical areas, metropolitan divisions, and nonmetropolitan areas. In addition, employment and wage estimates for 94 minor groups and 458 broad occupations are available in the national data for the first time. Information about the 2010 SOC is available on the BLS www.bls.gov/soc. The May 2012 OES estimates are the first to be produced using the 2012 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Information about the 2012 NAICS is available on the BLS website at www.bls.gov/bls/naics.htm.

Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-691-5200; Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339.

Metropolitan area definitions

The substate area data published in this release reflect the standards and definitions established by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) definitions

The substate area data published in this release reflect the standards and definitions established by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.

Bloomington-Normal, Ill. MSA consists of McLean County.

Cape Girardeau-Jackson, Mo.-Ill. MSA consists of Alexander County in Illinois; and Bollinger and Cape Girardeau Counties in Missouri.

Champaign-Urbana, Ill. MSA consists of Champaign, Ford, and Piatt Counties.

Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, Ill. MSA consists of Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties in Illinois; Jasper, Lake, Newton, and Porter Counties in Indiana; and Kenosha County in Wisconsin.

Danville, Ill. MSA consists of Vermilion County.

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, Ill.-Iowa MSA consists of Henry, Mercer, and Rock Island Counties in Illinois; and Scott County in Iowa.

Decatur, Ill. MSA consists of Macon County.

Kankakee-Bradley, Ill. MSA consists of Kankakee County.

Peoria, Ill. MSA consists of Marshall, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford Counties.

Rockford, Ill. MSA consists of Boone and Winnebago Counties.

St. Louis, Mo.-Ill. MSA consists of Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair Counties in Illinois; and Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Louis, Warren, and Washington Counties and St. Louis City in Missouri.

Springfield, Ill. MSA consists of Menard County Sangamon Counties.