Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Chicago, IL: $82,520 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Chicago, IL earns a median $82,520/year (≈ $39.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $79,656 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.5% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For licensed practical nurses in Chicago, IL, the projected median annual salary is $82,520 for 2026, offering a competitive edge compared to the national median of $68,071. Alongside this, the salary range spans from $65,745 for the lower 10th percentile (P10) to $102,032 for the upper 90th percentile (P90). This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflects how the state's scope-of-practice rules, which include IV therapy and assessment capabilities, directly influence compensation. With the ongoing demand for LPNs in diverse healthcare environments, Chicago's job market for practical nursing presents strong opportunities for those seeking to maximize their earnings in this vital field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,745 | $31.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,013 | $37.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,520 | $39.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,702 | $41.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,032 | $49.06 |
Median Salary Position
21.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,287 (2026 est.). At $82,520, the local median is 21.23% above the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Chicago: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chicago Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Chicago median: $82,520/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $70,833 | +16.50% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +21.23% more |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,520 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $79,656 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,320
2025 BLS Actual
$78,070
2026 Current Est.
$82,520
2019–2027 Growth
+54.9%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,520 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,224 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 38.6% from $56,320 (2019) to $78,070 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,224 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,904 (54.87%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $65,745 – $77,013 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,013 – $82,520 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,520 – $85,702 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,702 – $102,032 |
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 Chicago
The local job market for licensed practical nurses is robust, with approximately 11,420 LPNs employed in the area. However, the cost-of-living index in Chicago stands at 103.595, indicating that while salaries are high, the purchasing power may be affected. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities generally offer the highest pay, followed closely by home health agencies and certain hospitals, highlighting the income potential based on workplace setting. Shift differentials and certifications, such as those for IV therapy, can further enhance LPN pay in Chicago. To maximize earnings, prospective LPNs should consider working in long-term care and acquiring specialty certifications, as weekend and holiday premiums can boost overall compensation significantly. Understanding local employer pay scales and adjusting job settings strategically can greatly influence salary outcomes in this vibrant healthcare market.
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
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 $78,070 for licensed practical nursesin the Chicago 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