IL · Waukegan · Updated October 15, 2026

Utilization Review Nurse jobs in Waukegan, IL

The median utilization review nurse pay in the Waukegan area is $46.38 per hour ($96,480 a year), with the typical range running from $39.10 to $50.35. That ranks 85th of 379 U.S. metro areas for utilization review nurse pay, and 104th of 335 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Waukegan. The free report below lists employers near Waukegan and what they pay.

Utilization Review Nurse pay in Waukegan, IL

The metro median is 12% above the Illinois statewide median of $41.54 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.00 per hour. BLS counts about 100,620 registered nurses employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area, 22.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.06).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$34.65$72,07023% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$39.10$81,33013% below U.S. median
Median$46.38$96,4803% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$50.35$104,73012% above U.S. median
Top 10%$56.77$118,08026% above U.S. median

How Waukegan ranks

  • 85th of 379 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 104th of 335 after adjusting for local prices
  • 1st of 7 Illinois metro areas

BLS does not publish a separate figure for utilization review nurse. These numbers are for the broader category it belongs to, Registered Nurses.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Waukegan

  • Overall prices in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin run 4% above the U.S. average (index 103.6, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 12% above the U.S. average (index 112.0).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $46.38 median hour buys what $44.77 buys at the national price level, 1% below the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Get the Waukegan Utilization Review Nurse pay report

Named employers near Waukegan, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

Get my free pay report

Estimate your Waukegan paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,670
  • Per year: $83,484
  • Per month: $6,957

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Hospitals in Waukegan

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Waukegan.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Vista Medical Center East
Waukegan, IL
Acute careFor-profit2 of 5Yes
Lake Behavioral Hospital
Waukegan, IL
PsychiatricFor-profitNot ratedNo

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Utilization Review Nurse pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Kenosha, WI15 mi$40.63/hr99,578
Palatine, IL20 mi$46.38/hr65,951
Arlington Heights, IL20 mi$46.38/hr75,596
Racine, WI25 mi$38.96/hr78,057

Utilization Review Nurse jobs in Illinois · Utilization Review Nurse jobs nationwide

What employers ask for, and tax basics in Illinois

Utilization review nurses assess admissions and services for medical necessity and coordinate with payers.

  • Active RN license
  • Clinical experience in acute care
  • InterQual or MCG experience

Illinois taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Illinois state guide · Nurse Licensure Compact guide

Other healthcare roles in Waukegan

Waukegan city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do utilization review nurses make in Waukegan, IL?

Utilization Review Nurses in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area have a median pay of $46.38 per hour, about $96,480 a year. The middle half earn between $39.10 and $50.35 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Waukegan a good place for utilization review nurses once cost of living is counted?

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin ranks 104th of 335 metro areas for utilization review nurse pay after adjusting for local prices, and 85th of 379 before adjusting. Overall prices run 4% above the U.S. average.

Where do utilization review nurses work in Waukegan?

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Waukegan, led by Vista Medical Center East. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Illinois license to work in Waukegan as an utilization review nurse?

Illinois is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact as of October 15, 2026, so a nurse licensed elsewhere applies to the Illinois board for a license by endorsement before working here. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Does Valorem Health place utilization review nurses in Waukegan?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Waukegan and across Illinois. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Waukegan.

Free for every candidate

What do employers near Waukegan pay utilization review nurses? Get the report.

Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.

  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other hospitals

    The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.

  2. 2
    What they are offering now

    The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.

  3. 3
    Roles open for you right now

    Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.

Get your free pay report

120+ Utilization Review Nurse roles in Illinois, sent free by email

Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.

Please enter your first name.
Please enter your last name.
That email doesn't look quite right.
Please choose your role.
Please enter your city or ZIP.

Free for candidates. No phone number, no cold calls. One-click unsubscribe.

The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

Pay report · UR Nurse near Waukegan, IL
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your UR Nurse pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Illinois list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Emanate HealthCovina, CA · 1 posting$66.34/ hr$52–$81
  • Veterans Health AdministrationPhiladelphia, PA · 1 posting$56.65/ hr$39–$74
  • MaineGeneral HealthAugusta, ME · 1 posting$53.62/ hr$39–$68
  • Trinity HealthConnecticut · 1 posting$48.05/ hr$36–$60

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Illinois list

2What they are offering now

Low$36Median$45.44High$66

11 UR Nurse postings with published pay in the US, 10 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open UR Nurse roles

Open UR Nurse roles near Waukegan, IL, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.

Request open roles

I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.
Check my pay