Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Springfield, IL: $53,305 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Springfield, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $53,305 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Springfield's local price level (BEA RPP 92.7 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $57,475 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($63,536) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the licensed practical nurse field in Springfield, Illinois can expect a starting salary around $53,305 in 2026. This figure marks the initial level of pay for entry-level positions and is considerably below the city’s projected median annual salary of $63,536. For new LPNs, the potential for salary growth exists, with expectations of gradually advancing to $63,082 in the first few years as they gain experience. This market is relatively favorable for recent graduates due to a consistent growth rate of 5.70% for LPN positions, indicating not only an expanding employment landscape but also opportunities for professional development. With a cost of living index below the national average, Springfield stands out as a reasonable option for new grad licensed practical nurse pay in IL, especially for those willing to accept entry-level positions in various care settings.
Career Earnings Timeline in Springfield
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springfield
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Springfield, IL typically start between $53,305 and $63,082 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $27,915 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $63,536 — 6.66% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Illinois of $16,000 represents just 30.02% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($53,305/year) in Springfield. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state board of nursing-approved practical nursing programs and ACEN-accredited certificate pathways. Tuition varies by community college, technical school, or hospital-based program setting.
LPN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Springfield
- 1Research the Springfield market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $53,305 to $63,082, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Springfield, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Springfield for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Springfield's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Licensed Practical Nurse Compensation Range
The licensed practical nurse wage spread in Springfield is $27,915 ( 52.37%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $53,305, experienced hygienists can earn up to $81,220.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,440
2025 BLS Actual
$50,430
2026 Current Est.
$53,305
2019–2027 Growth
+59.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,305 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,343 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Springfield, IL grew 42.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $35,440 in 2019 to $50,430 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $56,343. New graduates entering the Springfield job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Springfield
Employers in Springfield seeking to hire new licensed practical nurse graduates include skilled nursing facilities, which often provide comprehensive training and orientation for novice nurses. Home health agencies are also prominent in the area, offering flexible schedules that appeal to new graduates. Additionally, physician offices sometimes prefer candidates who possess specific clinic experience, which may be beneficial for those who pursue internships or externships during their training. To enhance starting pay and employment prospects, it's essential for new graduates to maintain an active LPN/LVN license, complete a practical nursing diploma from an accredited program, and pass the NCLEX-PN exam. Beyond these credentials, obtaining optional certifications in areas like IV therapy or wound care can further bolster earning potential. With long-term care facilities employing approximately 35% of LPNs nationally, aspiring LPNs should also consider the LPN-to-RN bridge programs as they plan their career trajectory over the first few years, navigating the evolving landscape of nursing roles in Springfield and beyond.
More salary data for Springfield, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Springfield. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov