Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Wheeling, IL: $69,142 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Wheeling, IL earns a median $69,142/year (≈ $33.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Wheeling's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $71,207 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheeling, Illinois, licensed practical nurses can expect to earn a median annual salary of $69,142 in 2026, which is slightly above the national figure of $68,071. This salary falls within a range that spans from $56,738 at the lower end (P10) to $89,369 at the upper end (P90), indicating a solid earning potential influenced by factors such as the LPNs' scope of practice in the state, which includes administering IV therapy and performing assessments. These responsibilities can drive compensation levels up, especially in settings where skilled nursing care is in high demand. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors highlight the competitive nature of the job market in Wheeling, signaling opportunities for LPNs due to increasing healthcare needs in the region.
About the Wheeling Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,738 | $27.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,088 | $31.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,142 | $33.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,358 | $39.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,369 | $42.97 |
Median Salary Position
1.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheeling
In Wheeling, IL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,631 (2026 est.). At $69,142, the local median is 1.57% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheeling: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheeling Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Wheeling median: $69,142/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheeling Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $70,842 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +1.57% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Wheeling, IL earn a median of $69,142 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.57% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 2.40% below the Illinois state average of $70,842.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheeling 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.
Wheeling, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $69,142 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,207 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,227
2025 BLS Actual
$65,413
2026 Current Est.
$69,142
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,227 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,588 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,826 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,479 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,767 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,413 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,142 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,083 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheeling metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $48,227 (2019) to $65,413 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,083 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,856 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheeling 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) | $56,738 – $65,088 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,088 – $69,142 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,142 – $82,358 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,358 – $89,369 |
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 Wheeling
Analyzing the job landscape, there are currently six licensed practical nurses employed in Wheeling, IL, suggesting a specialized market where LPNs can thrive. With a cost-of-living index at 97.1, the area offers favorable conditions for potential earnings, allowing for increased purchasing power relative to other regions with higher living costs. Skilled nursing facilities typically provide the highest compensation, but other opportunities exist in home health agencies, physician offices, and long-term care settings, each offering varying pay scales. The disparity between earnings can often be attributed to specific settings, like higher pay in skilled nursing compared to home health services, and additional financial incentives for certifications, shift differentials, and weekend or holiday work. LPNs in Wheeling should consider pursuing IV therapy certifications and seek opportunities in environments like long-term care to maximize their earning potential in this evolving healthcare climate.
More salary data for Wheeling, 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 $65,413 for licensed practical nursesin the Wheeling 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 Wheeling 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