How much does an Acting Head Nurse make in Illinois? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Acting Head Nurse in Illinois is $111,407 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.

However, an Acting Head Nurse's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $129,222
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $103,505 to $120,732
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $96,310

Key Factors That Influence Acting Head Nurse Salaries

An Acting Head Nurse's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Acting Head Nurse Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Acting Head Nurse's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $107,397
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $108,005
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $108,613
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $109,465
  • Expert (over 8 years): $111,666
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Acting Head Nurse less than 1 year $107,397
Early Career Level Acting Head Nurse 1-2 years $108,005
Mid-Level Level Acting Head Nurse 2-4 years $108,613
Senior-Level Level Acting Head Nurse 5-8 years $109,465
Expert Level Acting Head Nurse over 8 years $111,666

Top Paying Cities for Acting Head Nurse

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Effingham: $102,695
  • Saint Peter: $102,554
  • Salem: $102,945

Acting Head Nurse Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Acting Head Nurse roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Acting Head Nurse positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Acting Head Nurse as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Acting Head Nurse

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare $133,689 $64.0 20%

Acting Head Nurse Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Acting Head Nurse's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$103,505
Average $111,407/year
$120,732
$8,625
Average $9,284/month
$10,061
$1,990
Average $2,142/week
$2,322
$50
Average $54/hour
$58
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $120,732 $10,061 $2,322 $58
Average $111,407 $9,284 $2,142 $54
25th Percentile $103,505 $8,625 $1,990 $50

Find Your Next Acting Head Nurse Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Acting Head Nurse job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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