Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Bloomington, IL: $71,104 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Bloomington, IL earns a median $71,104/year (≈ $34.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $76,017 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bloomington, Illinois, the compensation for licensed practical nurses reaches a median annual salary of $71,104 in 2026, slightly surpassing the national average of $68,071. With salaries ranging from $54,922 at the 10th percentile to $80,057 at the 90th percentile, licensed practical nurses in this area can expect a competitive pay structure influenced by their work environment. Factors such as the choice between skilled nursing facilities, home health care, or clinic settings significantly affect earnings, as skilled nursing positions typically offer higher wages compared to other settings. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlighting the solid demand for LPNs in Bloomington’s medical landscape, which presents diverse opportunities for growth and specialization in patient care.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,922 | $26.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,266 | $30.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,104 | $34.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,294 | $36.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,057 | $38.50 |
Median Salary Position
4.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, IL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,135 (2026 est.). At $71,104, the local median is 4.46% above the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be above the median
How Bloomington Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $71,104/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $70,821 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +4.46% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Bloomington, IL earn a median of $71,104 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.46% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.40% above the Illinois state average of $70,821.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 6.46% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, IL has a cost-of-living index of 93.537 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $71,104 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,017 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,240
2025 BLS Actual
$67,270
2026 Current Est.
$71,104
2019–2027 Growth
+49.6%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,104 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,157 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 33.9% from $50,240 (2019) to $67,270 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,157 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,917 (49.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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) | $54,922 – $64,266 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,266 – $71,104 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,104 – $76,294 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,294 – $80,057 |
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 Bloomington
As of now, the local job market comprises approximately 170 licensed practical nurses, reflecting a robust employment landscape despite Illinois having a slightly lower cost of living index at 93.537 compared to the national average. This reality allows LPNs in Bloomington to enjoy a favorable take-home pay, despite the differing wages between employers. Skilled nursing facilities tend to be the highest-paying employers, closely followed by hospitals, while home health agencies and physician offices generally offer lower compensation. The disparity in wages is driven by several factors, including shift differentials, specialty certifications such as IV therapy, and pay premiums for weekends and holidays in long-term care. To maximize their earning potential, LPNs in Bloomington should seek positions in skilled nursing facilities and consider pursuing additional certifications or accepting shifts that offer these premiums, which can significantly boost overall earnings in this competitive but rewarding market.
More salary data for Bloomington, 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 $67,270 for licensed practical nursesin the Bloomington 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
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