Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Champaign, IL: $67,785 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Champaign, IL earns a median $67,785/year (≈ $32.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Champaign's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $73,120 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Champaign, Illinois, the licensed practical nurse salary in Champaign is projected to reach $67,785 annually by 2026, closely aligned with the national median of $68,071. The overall pay range for these nursing professionals varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $52,290 and experienced practitioners earning as much as $83,334 yearly. Derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this information showcases the diverse earning potential prevalent in the area. With a healthcare landscape featuring skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and outpatient clinics, compensation can differ based on the setting. For instance, LPNs employed in long-term care typically earn more than those working in home health, primarily due to the complexity and demands associated with patient care in skilled nursing environments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,290 | $25.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,251 | $30.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,785 | $32.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,603 | $38.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,334 | $40.06 |
Median Salary Position
0.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Champaign
In Champaign, IL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,044 (2026 est.). At $67,785, the local median is 0.42% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Champaign: You'd be above the median
How Champaign Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Champaign median: $67,785/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Champaign Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $70,831 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -0.42% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Champaign, IL earn a median of $67,785 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.42% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.30% below the Illinois state average of $70,831.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Champaign has a cost of living 7.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Champaign, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.704 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $67,785 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,120 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.87% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,450
2025 BLS Actual
$64,130
2026 Current Est.
$67,785
2019–2027 Growth
+47.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Champaign (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,640 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,785 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,649 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Champaign metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 32.4% from $48,450 (2019) to $64,130 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,649 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,199 (47.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Champaign 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) | $52,290 – $63,251 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,251 – $67,785 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,785 – $79,603 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,603 – $83,334 |
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 Champaign
Looking at the local job market, Champaign has about 300 licensed practical nurses actively employed, contributing to a competitive atmosphere that allows for robust earning potential. The cost-of-living index in Champaign sits at 92.704, which is below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of LPNs working in the region. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest salaries, especially for roles requiring IV therapy certification or those filled on weekends and holidays. Compensation variance hinges on multiple factors, including work setting, shift differentials, and specialized skills, leading to pay discrepancies where long-term care positions often exceed those in physician's offices. To maximize earnings, prospective LPNs might consider pursuing certifications and seeking employment within high-demand facilities, ensuring they leverage their skills and experience for optimal compensation.
More salary data for Champaign, 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 $64,130 for licensed practical nursesin the Champaign 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