Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Des Plaines, IL: $68,475 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Des Plaines, IL earns a median $68,475/year (≈ $32.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Des Plaines's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $70,520 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Des Plaines, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in 2026 is $68,475, slightly ahead of the national median of $68,071. This pay scale encompasses a wide range, from $53,303 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $87,334 at the upper end (90th percentile). These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted to reflect regional cost-of-living variations, which stand at 97.1, indicating a below-average living cost compared to national trends. The job market in Des Plaines shows a modest demand, with only 12 licensed practical nurses employed, suggesting that while compensation is competitive, opportunities may be limited primarily in skilled nursing facilities.
About the Des Plaines Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,303 | $25.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,033 | $29.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,475 | $32.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,311 | $38.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,334 | $41.98 |
Median Salary Position
0.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Plaines
In Des Plaines, IL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,031 (2026 est.). At $68,475, the local median is 0.59% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Plaines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Plaines Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Des Plaines median: $68,475/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Plaines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $70,811 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +0.59% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $68,475 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.59% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $70,811.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Plaines 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.
Des Plaines, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $68,475 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,520 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,762
2025 BLS Actual
$64,782
2026 Current Est.
$68,475
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,762 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,355 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,944 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,084 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,201 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,782 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,475 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,378 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Plaines metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $47,762 (2019) to $64,782 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,378 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,616 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Plaines 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) | $53,303 – $61,033 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,033 – $68,475 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,475 – $80,311 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,311 – $87,334 |
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 Des Plaines
Analyzing the dynamics of the local job market reveals several factors influencing compensation for LPNs in Des Plaines. With the cost of living at 97.1, nurses in this area may find their take-home pay to have more purchasing power than in higher-priced regions. Skilled nursing facilities generally offer better pay compared to home health agencies and physician offices, with shift differentials and additional premiums for weekend work contributing to salary variation. Employment in settings that require specialized skills, like IV therapy, can also command better remuneration. To optimize pay in Des Plaines, pursuing certifications and seeking positions in long-term care or higher-need facilities could be advantageous, particularly as Illinois continues to project a growth rate of 5.70% annually in healthcare employment over the next few years.
More salary data for Des Plaines, 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 $64,782 for licensed practical nursesin the Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines 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