Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL: $39.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Chicago, IL runs $39.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,520 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,520 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Chicago, Illinois, receive a competitive hourly rate of $39.68, significantly higher than the national median of $32.73. This robust pay scale makes part-time positions, such as those working three days a week, financially viable for many LPNs seeking work-life balance. In various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and physician offices, LPNs can expect to earn between $31.60 and $49.06, depending on experience and location. These figures, derived from projected data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlight the lucrative nature of LPN roles in Chicago compared to other markets.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.60 | $252.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.03 | $296.21 |
| Median (P50) | $39.68 | $317.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.20 | $329.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.06 | $392.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicago
Based on $39.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.68/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicago, IL can expect to earn approximately $82,534 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,616. With a cost-of-living index of 103.59 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,587.19 | $6,878 | $82,534 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $952.31 | $4,127 | $49,520 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $634.88 | $2,751 | $33,014 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Chicago) | $39.68 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Chicago, IL earn a median of $82,520 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.23% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 16.50% above the Illinois state average of $70,833.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.68/hr = $49,520/year (purchasing power: $47,802).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,534/year (purchasing power: $79,670).
CoL index: 103.595 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+54.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Chicago grew 38.6% from $27.08/hr (2019) to $37.54/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.94/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Chicago
For those considering a part-time schedule, a licensed practical nurse working 24 hours a week could earn a substantial income over the course of a year, especially when compared to full-time wages. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Chicago varies, with rates for agency LPNs often reaching $45 to $60 per hour in high-demand settings. While some facilities offer lower hourly rates coupled with health benefits, many LPNs must weigh their choices carefully between higher wages and job benefits. Local negotiations can also be crucial, as larger healthcare systems may provide different pay scales than smaller practices, affecting overall compensation strategy in a competitive market. Understanding the hourly pay landscape across various employer types in Chicago is essential for nurses looking to maximize their earning potential while navigating the unique demands of their chosen settings.
More salary data for Chicago, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Chicago. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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