Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Carol Stream, IL: $68,674 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Carol Stream, IL earns a median $68,674/year (≈ $33.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Carol Stream's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $70,725 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Carol Stream, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $68,674, slightly surpassing the national average of $68,071. Compensation for this role ranges widely, from $52,058 at the lower tenth percentile to $88,030 at the ninetieth percentile, reflecting the variances in work settings and responsibilities. The local estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, indicative of the dynamic nature of healthcare employment markets. With various facilities such as skilled nursing homes and home health agencies, the salary structures can differ significantly. This highlights the importance of skill specialization and operational environments that influence pay in the Carol Stream area.
About the Carol Stream Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,058 | $25.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,605 | $31.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,674 | $33.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,198 | $39.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,030 | $42.32 |
Median Salary Position
0.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carol Stream
In Carol Stream, IL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,972 (2026 est.). At $68,674, the local median is 0.89% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carol Stream: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carol Stream Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Carol Stream median: $68,674/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carol Stream Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $70,798 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +0.89% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Carol Stream, IL earn a median of $68,674 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.89% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $70,798.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carol Stream 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.
Carol Stream, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $68,674 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,725 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,901
2025 BLS Actual
$64,971
2026 Current Est.
$68,674
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Carol Stream (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,901 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,253 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,496 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,104 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,971 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,674 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,589 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carol Stream metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $47,901 (2019) to $64,971 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,589 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,688 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carol Stream 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) | $52,058 – $65,605 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,605 – $68,674 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,674 – $81,198 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,198 – $88,030 |
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 Carol Stream
In terms of employment opportunities, Carol Stream hosts about 10 licensed practical nurses, presenting a niche yet dedicated job market. The cost of living index stands at 97.1, which is below the national average, suggesting that while salaries may be competitive, the purchasing power of take-home pay remains a critical consideration for those entering the field. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities generally offer the most competitive wages, compared to home health agencies and physician offices, driven by the complexity of patient care and additional responsibilities such as IV therapy. Factors like shift differentials, potential stipends for specialized certifications, and holiday pay can significantly impact earnings. For LPNs looking to maximize their income in Carol Stream, securing positions in long-term care or pursuing additional certifications may yield substantial benefits.
More salary data for Carol Stream, 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 $64,971 for licensed practical nursesin the Carol Stream 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 Carol Stream 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