Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Decatur, IL: $70,555 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Decatur, IL earns a median $70,555/year (≈ $33.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $79,793 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Licensed practical nurse pay in Decatur, IL, presents an attractive financial proposition, particularly when compared nationally. With a projected median annual salary of $70,555 in 2026, LPNs in the area earn slightly above the national median of $68,071, demonstrating a 3.65% premium. The salary range for licensed practical nurses in Decatur extends from $57,754 at the lower tenth percentile to $84,253 at the upper ninetieth percentile. These figures are informed by official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, reflecting the diverse healthcare settings available in the region. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest compensation among local employers, driven by the complexity and acuity of patient care required, while home health agencies and clinics may provide lower wages due to their operational scale and service models.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,754 | $27.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,619 | $31.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,555 | $33.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,985 | $37.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,253 | $40.50 |
Median Salary Position
3.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, IL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,499 (2026 est.). At $70,555, the local median is 3.65% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Decatur median: $70,555/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $70,838 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +3.65% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Decatur, IL earn a median of $70,555 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.65% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.40% below the Illinois state average of $70,838.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 11.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, IL has a cost-of-living index of 88.422 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $70,555 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,793 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,250
2025 BLS Actual
$66,750
2026 Current Est.
$70,555
2019–2027 Growth
+72.4%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,555 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,576 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 54.3% from $43,250 (2019) to $66,750 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,576 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,326 (72.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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) | $57,754 – $65,619 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,619 – $70,555 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,555 – $77,985 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,985 – $84,253 |
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 Decatur
In Decatur, there are currently about 220 licensed practical nurses employed, indicating a steady demand for this role within the healthcare sector. The cost of living index for Decatur stands at 88.422, which is below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of LPN salaries in the city. Skilled nursing facilities and long-term care settings generally deliver the most substantial compensation, while positions in home health and physician offices typically offer lower wages. The variability in pay can be attributed to factors such as the intensity of care provided, weekend and holiday differentials, and specialty certifications like IV therapy. To maximize earnings in the Decatur job market, licensed practical nurses should consider pursuing additional certifications, seeking opportunities in high-paying facilities, and being open to shift work that may come with premium pay rates.
More salary data for Decatur, 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 $66,750 for licensed practical nursesin the Decatur 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