Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Oswego, IL: $68,212 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Oswego, IL earns a median $68,212/year (≈ $32.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Oswego's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $70,249 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Oswego, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $68,212, which aligns closely with the national figure of $68,071. This competitive compensation reflects the unique scope-of-practice regulations in Illinois that allow LPNs to perform IV therapy and clinical assessments. Salary expectations in Oswego range from approximately $56,289 at the lower tenth percentile to $86,548 at the ninetieth percentile. The estimates are drawn from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living metrics in the region, contributing to a robust employment outlook for those in this healthcare role.
About the Oswego Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,289 | $27.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,605 | $31.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,212 | $32.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,110 | $38.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,548 | $41.61 |
Median Salary Position
0.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oswego
In Oswego, IL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,259 (2026 est.). At $68,212, the local median is 0.21% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oswego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oswego Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Oswego median: $68,212/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oswego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $70,833 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +0.21% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Oswego, IL earn a median of $68,212 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.21% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 3.70% below the Illinois state average of $70,833.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oswego 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.
Oswego, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $68,212 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,249 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$47,579
2025 BLS Actual
$64,534
2026 Current Est.
$68,212
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Oswego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,579 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,922 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,734 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,854 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,978 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,534 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,212 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,101 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oswego metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $47,579 (2019) to $64,534 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,101 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,522 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oswego 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) | $56,289 – $64,605 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,605 – $68,212 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,212 – $80,110 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,110 – $86,548 |
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 Oswego
Currently, the job market in Oswego features a small but significant cohort of seven licensed practical nurses, indicating a focused community of professionals. Given the cost-of-living index of 97.1, which is below the national average, purchasing power among local LPNs can be relatively favorable. Various employers such as skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies typically offer higher wages, with specialized certifications, such as IV therapy, often leading to increased compensation. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to factors like shift differentials and the setting of employment, as skilled nursing roles generally provide better pay than positions in physician offices. To maximize earnings in this area, LPNs should consider seeking employment in long-term care environments and explore opportunities for additional certifications while being flexible with work hours, particularly weekends and holidays, which often come with higher pay rates.
More salary data for Oswego, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Oswego, IL in 2026?
Is Oswego, IL a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Oswego?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Oswego?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Oswego?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $64,534 for licensed practical nursesin the Oswego 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 Oswego 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