Senior Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Gurnee, IL: $84,925 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of licensed practical nurses working in Gurnee, IL — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $84,925/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2061. Strip back Gurnee's price premium (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $87,461 in average-cost America. The 22% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Senior licensed practical nurses in Gurnee, Illinois, have the potential to earn substantial salaries, particularly at the upper spectrum of the pay scale. With a projected top-tier salary of $84,925 in 2026, these seasoned professionals can significantly outpace the median annual salary of $69,801. This experience premium not only highlights the financial rewards for experienced licensed practical nurse roles but also indicates the level of expertise and responsibility expected from those who attain such figures. To reach this pinnacle of compensation, LPNs often need a combination of specialized training, advanced certifications, and a history of demonstrated leadership or specialized clinical skills that align with the local healthcare demands.
About the Gurnee Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gurnee
Experienced licensed practical nurses at the top of the pay scale in Gurnee earn between $79,758 and $84,925 per year (2026 est.). This $30,125 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Gurnee median of $69,801 sits 2.54% above the US median.
Top LPN Salary Comparison
| Level | Gurnee | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $69,801 | $68,071 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,758 | $80,364 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $84,925 | $88,196 |
In Gurnee, experienced licensed practical nurses (P90) earn 21.67% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in Gurnee
Advanced Certifications in Illinois
IL licensed practical nurses with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $69,801 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Gurnee employers.
Specialty Focus
Licensed Practical Nurses focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Gurnee command premium compensation, often reaching the $79,758–$84,925 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Gurnee metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced licensed practical nurses who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured licensed practical nurses in Gurnee with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Licensed Practical Nurses in Illinois who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Licensed Practical Nurse Career & Wage Growth Path in Gurnee
Clinical Licensed Practical Nurse
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Licensed Practical Nurse
5-10 yearsLicensed Practical Nurse Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedGurnee ranks #51 of 65 Illinois cities for top earner licensed practical nurse salary (90th percentile: $84,925).
Top 10% licensed practical nurse compensation in Gurnee ($84,925) is 13.67% below the Illinois average P90 ($98,374).
2019 BLS Actual
$61,010
2025 BLS Actual
$80,345
2026 Current Est.
$84,925
2019–2027 Growth
+47.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Gurnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,424 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,955 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,982 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,941 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,345 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,925 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,765 | Projected |
Top-earning licensed practical nurses (90th percentile) in Gurnee saw their compensation grow 31.7% from $61,010 in 2019 to $80,345 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 5.70% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $89,765 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gurnee 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.
Maximizing Your Licensed Practical Nurse Earnings in Gurnee
In Gurnee, specific areas of specialization play a critical role in determining senior licensed practical nurse pay in IL. Positions in long-term care facilities, for instance, often yield higher compensation than those in home health or physician offices. Advanced certifications in IV therapy, wound care, or hospice and palliative care can also command premium salaries. Compensation varies significantly based on employer types, with skilled nursing facilities and hospice services frequently offering more attractive compensation packages compared to other settings. Career advancement paths, such as transitioning to roles like charge LPN, nursing supervisor, or participating in LPN-to-RN bridge programs, may offer further financial incentives. Additionally, senior LPNs may benefit from non-salary compensation drivers, including shift differentials, certification stipends, and holiday premiums, which altogether enhance the overall attractiveness of the experienced licensed practical nurse salary Gurnee offers.
More salary data for Gurnee, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced licensed practical nurses make in Gurnee in 2026?
What drives higher licensed practical nurse pay in Gurnee?
What certifications boost licensed practical nurse salary in Gurnee?
Can experienced licensed practical nurses make six figures in Gurnee?
How much does licensed practical nurse salary increase over time in Gurnee?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $80,345 for licensed practical nurses in the Gurnee metro area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gurnee 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