Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Crystal Lake, IL: $67,449 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Crystal Lake, IL earns a median $67,449/year (≈ $32.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Crystal Lake's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $69,463 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The 2026 median annual salary for licensed practical nurses in Crystal Lake, Illinois, is projected at $67,449, reflecting a competitive local pay scale compared to the national median of $68,071. Licensed practical nurses in this region can expect to earn between $54,707 at the lower end (P10) and $86,512 at the higher end (P90). Estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for local cost considerations. Notably, the state’s regulations on LPN duties—including full authorization for IV therapy and patient assessments—can significantly influence overall compensation, allowing Crystal Lake’s LPNs to participate in a more advanced scope of practice compared to some other regions. This dynamic enhances both the demand and earning potential within the local healthcare sector.
About the Crystal Lake Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,707 | $26.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,969 | $30.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,449 | $32.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,781 | $38.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,512 | $41.59 |
Median Salary Position
0.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Crystal Lake
In Crystal Lake, IL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,805 (2026 est.). At $67,449, the local median is 0.91% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Crystal Lake: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Crystal Lake Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Crystal Lake median: $67,449/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Crystal Lake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $70,850 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -0.91% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Crystal Lake, IL earn a median of $67,449 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.91% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.80% below the Illinois state average of $70,850.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Crystal Lake 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.
Crystal Lake, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $67,449 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,463 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,046
2025 BLS Actual
$63,812
2026 Current Est.
$67,449
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Crystal Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,046 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,374 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,631 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,121 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,185 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,328 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,812 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,449 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,294 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Crystal Lake metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $47,046 (2019) to $63,812 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,294 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,248 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Crystal Lake 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) | $54,707 – $62,969 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,969 – $67,449 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,449 – $79,781 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,781 – $86,512 |
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 Crystal Lake
The local job market in Crystal Lake currently employs nine licensed practical nurses, providing a snapshot of the demand within this community. With a cost-of-living index standing at 97.1, the purchasing power for LPNs earning near the median salary remains favorable. Long-term care facilities, home health agencies, and certain hospitals in the area generally offer the most competitive salaries for LPNs, with skilled nursing settings often providing better compensation compared to physician offices. The notable salary spread in Crystal Lake can be attributed to various factors such as IV therapy certification stipends, shift differentials, and premiums for weekend or holiday shifts in long-term care. For LPNs looking to maximize pay in this competitive market, pursuing certifications, specializing in high-demand settings, and negotiating for shift differentials can be effective strategies for enhancing their licensed practical nurse pay in Crystal Lake, IL.
More salary data for Crystal Lake, 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 $63,812 for licensed practical nursesin the Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake 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