Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in St. Charles, IL: $69,818 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in St. Charles, IL earns a median $69,818/year (≈ $33.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in St. Charles's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $71,903 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Charles, Illinois, the annual compensation for licensed practical nurses is projected to reach $69,818 in 2026, demonstrating a modest increase compared to national figures. This salary, which ranges from $54,841 at the lower end to $84,804 at the high end, reflects local variations influenced by the structural choices inherent in the healthcare system. Licensed practical nurses often find employment in skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, or physician offices, with pay differing significantly based on the setting. Skilled nursing typically presents the highest earning potential, pointing to the demand for LPNs equipped to handle the complexities of long-term care.
About the St. Charles Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,841 | $26.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,860 | $30.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,818 | $33.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,903 | $38.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,804 | $40.77 |
Median Salary Position
2.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Charles
In St. Charles, IL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,963 (2026 est.). At $69,818, the local median is 2.57% above the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in St. Charles: You'd be above the median
How St. Charles Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
St. Charles median: $69,818/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Charles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $70,809 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +2.57% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in St. Charles, IL earn a median of $69,818 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.57% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $70,809.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Charles 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.
St. Charles, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $69,818 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,903 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,699
2025 BLS Actual
$66,053
2026 Current Est.
$69,818
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in St. Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,699 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,073 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,304 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,022 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,263 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,342 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,053 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,818 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,798 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Charles metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $48,699 (2019) to $66,053 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,798 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,099 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Charles 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) | $54,841 – $63,860 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,860 – $69,818 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,818 – $79,903 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,903 – $84,804 |
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 St. Charles
With just seven licensed practical nurses employed in the St. Charles area, the local job market is relatively tight, which can contribute to competitive wages. Despite a cost of living index of 97.1, slightly below the national average, the purchasing power for LPNs in this city remains stable. Skilled nursing facilities often offer the best pay, bolstered by factors such as shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and premiums for weekend and holiday shifts. High earning potential is largely driven by the nature of care provided, with skilled nursing roles offering higher compensation than home health or physician offices. Aspiring LPNs can maximize their salaries in St. Charles by pursuing certifications that enhance their value in long-term care settings and actively seeking opportunities in high-demand employer sectors.
More salary data for St. Charles, 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 $66,053 for licensed practical nursesin the St. Charles 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 St. Charles 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