Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Kankakee, IL: $69,667 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Kankakee, IL earns a median $69,667/year (≈ $33.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Kankakee's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $72,273 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kankakee, IL, licensed practical nurses can expect a median annual salary of $69,667 in 2026, a figure that slightly surpasses the national median of $68,071. The projected salary range for this role in the area extends from $55,841 at the 10th percentile to $85,226 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy market for LPN compensation. This data is derived from 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, projecting into 2026. As the scope of practice for LPNs in Illinois includes responsibilities such as IV therapy and patient assessments, these roles often attract competitive pay, contributing to Kankakee’s increasingly robust healthcare job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,841 | $26.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,340 | $30.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,667 | $33.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,842 | $37.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,226 | $40.98 |
Median Salary Position
2.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kankakee
In Kankakee, IL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,385 (2026 est.). At $69,667, the local median is 2.34% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kankakee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kankakee Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Kankakee median: $69,667/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kankakee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $70,800 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +2.34% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Kankakee, IL earn a median of $69,667 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.34% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $70,800.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kankakee has a cost of living 3.61% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kankakee, IL has a cost-of-living index of 96.394 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $69,667 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,273 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,660
2025 BLS Actual
$65,910
2026 Current Est.
$69,667
2019–2027 Growth
+42.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Kankakee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,667 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,638 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kankakee metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 27.6% from $51,660 (2019) to $65,910 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,638 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,978 (42.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kankakee 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) | $55,841 – $64,340 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,340 – $69,667 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,667 – $78,842 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,842 – $85,226 |
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 Kankakee
With approximately 240 licensed practical nurses currently employed in Kankakee, the local job market shows encouraging prospects for those pursuing this profession. The area's cost of living index stands at 96.394, lower than the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of LPN salaries in Kankakee. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest compensation, followed by home health agencies and hospitals, which are shifting towards more RN-centric staffing models. Factors that influence the salary spread from $55,841 to $85,226 include work settings, shift differentials, IV therapy stipends, and potential premiums for weekend or holiday shifts. To maximize earning potential in this market, LPNs may benefit from seeking roles in long-term care and pursuing additional certifications, particularly those that enhance responsibilities related to patient care assessments or specialty areas.
More salary data for Kankakee, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Kankakee, IL in 2026?
Is Kankakee, IL a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Kankakee?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Kankakee?
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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 $65,910 for licensed practical nursesin the Kankakee 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