Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Arlington Heights, IL: $69,704 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Arlington Heights, IL earns a median $69,704/year (≈ $33.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Arlington Heights's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $71,786 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Arlington Heights is projected to be $69,704, which reflects a modest increase over national figures. With salaries ranging from $56,214 at the lower end (P10) to $91,344 for those at the highest echelons (P90), local estimates based on 2025 BLS data reveal a growing demand for LPNs amidst an evolving healthcare landscape. Practicing nurses in Arlington Heights face diverse employment settings—skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest compensation, while home health agencies and physician offices may provide less lucrative opportunities. Understanding these structural differences in employment can significantly impact potential earnings for those considering this career path.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,214 | $27.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,121 | $31.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,704 | $33.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,219 | $40.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,344 | $43.92 |
Median Salary Position
2.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington Heights
In Arlington Heights, IL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,130 (2026 est.). At $69,704, the local median is 2.4% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Heights Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Arlington Heights median: $69,704/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $70,837 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +2.40% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $69,704 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.40% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $70,837.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington Heights has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington Heights, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $69,704 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,786 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,619
2025 BLS Actual
$65,945
2026 Current Est.
$69,704
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,619 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,991 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,223 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,163 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,245 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,945 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,704 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,677 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington Heights metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $48,619 (2019) to $65,945 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,677 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,058 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington Heights 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $56,214 – $65,121 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,121 – $69,704 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,704 – $83,219 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,219 – $91,344 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Arlington Heights
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Arlington Heights features around 18 individuals actively working in this role, indicating a relatively small but stable workforce. The area's cost of living is indexed at 97.1, slightly below the national average, which influences the overall buying power of LPN salaries in the region. Employers, particularly skilled nursing facilities, often provide more competitive wages due to the demand for skilled care in long-term settings. Factors contributing to pay disparities include shift differentials, weekend and holiday premiums, and specialized certification stipends for IV therapy. For LPNs seeking to maximize their earnings in Arlington Heights, targeting skilled nursing opportunities and pursuing further certifications can help enhance their marketability and compensation levels in a profession that increasingly emphasizes advanced competencies.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $65,945 for licensed practical nursesin the Arlington Heights metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Arlington Heights is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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