LPN Salary in Chicago and Illinois: What LPNs Earn

If you are researching LPN salary in Chicago and Illinois, the most useful place to start is official wage data. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes occupational estimates for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, and its May 2025 figures give a clear picture of what the occupation pays in the Chicago area and across the state. This guide explains those numbers, shows how median and mean wages differ, and describes the factors that shape what an individual LPN earns.

Key Takeaways

Here are the main points to remember:

BLS May 2025 data places the median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area at $78,070. The Illinois median annual wage is $75,000, and the national median is $64,400. These are occupational estimates, not guaranteed starting salaries. Actual earnings vary with experience, employer, location, work setting, and schedule. Use the median as the typical benchmark and the mean as additional context.

How Much Do LPNs Make in Chicago and Illinois?

According to the BLS May 2025 data, the median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area is $78,070. The statewide Illinois median is $75,000 per year. The national median in the same dataset is $64,400.

For readers who think in hourly rates, the approximate hourly equivalents are about $37.53 per hour for the Chicago metro median and about $36.06 per hour for the Illinois median. These are hourly equivalents calculated from annual wages using 2,080 work hours per year. They are not separate BLS median hourly estimates.

LPN Salary in Chicago: What the BLS Data Shows

The table below summarizes the May 2025 BLS estimates for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area:

The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area covers multiple counties in Illinois and Indiana. Its figures are not a salary estimate for Chicago city limits alone, and the suburbs, including communities near Oak Brook, are part of the same metropolitan estimate. You can review the underlying data on the BLS May 2025 metropolitan area wage estimates page.

LPN Salary in Illinois: Statewide Earnings

Statewide figures combine wage estimates from many communities across Illinois. The May 2025 data shows a median annual wage of $75,000, a mean annual wage of $73,430, and a mean hourly wage of $36.06.

Statewide averages can hide real differences. Earnings in large metropolitan areas can differ from those in smaller cities and rural communities, and employers within the same area may offer very different compensation. You can review the source data on the BLS May 2025 state occupational wage estimates page.

Chicago vs Illinois vs National LPN Salary

The following comparison places the three locations side by side:

In this dataset, both the Chicago metro and Illinois statewide estimates sit above the national median. That does not mean every LPN in these locations earns these amounts. Many will earn more and many will earn less, depending on the factors described below.

What Factors Affect an LPN’s Salary?

Several factors influence how much an individual LPN earns:

• Experience: Pay often varies between newly licensed nurses and those with several years in the field.
• Work setting: Nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, home healthcare agencies, and physician offices may follow different wage patterns.
• Geographic location: Employers in different cities and communities may offer different compensation.
• Work schedule: Shift differentials, overtime, and weekend or night assignments can change total annual earnings.
• Responsibilities: Job duties, required skills, and specialized training may affect pay.

Because these factors interact, two LPNs in the same city can have very different income levels.

Do LPNs Earn Different Salaries in Different Healthcare Settings?

LPNs work in a range of environments, including nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, home healthcare services, physician offices, and other outpatient settings. The BLS publishes industry-specific wage data, but national industry averages should not be treated as Chicago-specific salary figures.

When evaluating a job, compare the actual posting and the compensation details the employer provides. Look at base pay, shift differentials, benefits, and training opportunities together rather than focusing on one number.

What Can New LPN Graduates Expect to Earn?

The BLS median includes workers across all experience levels, so it is not a starting salary for newly licensed graduates. A new graduate’s first offer may be higher or lower than the occupational median, depending on the employer, the location, the job responsibilities, and the experience the employer requires.

Review entry-level job postings in your area, read the requirements carefully, and ask about orientation, mentorship, and advancement opportunities. Those details often matter as much as the starting rate.

How Can You Prepare for an LPN Career in Illinois?

The general pathway to becoming a licensed practical nurse includes several steps:

1. Review the admission requirements for Illinois practical nursing programs.
2. Choose a practical nursing education program that fits your schedule, budget, and goals.
3. Build foundational knowledge through classroom and laboratory learning.
4. Complete the required clinical learning experience.
5. Prepare for and pass the NCLEX-PN examination.
6. Meet the applicable Illinois licensing requirements.

Verve College’s Practical Nursing Program is one option to explore as you plan this pathway. Review its curriculum, schedule, and admission details, and confirm current requirements directly with the college. Completing a program does not guarantee a particular salary or employment outcome.

Conclusion

BLS data gives a useful benchmark for LPN salary in Chicago and Illinois. For May 2025, the median annual wage was $78,070 in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area and $75,000 statewide, compared with a national median of $64,400. Treat these figures as occupational estimates rather than promises. Your actual pay will depend on your experience, employer, work setting, schedule, and location. If you are considering this career, compare program options, review local job postings, and plan your education with realistic expectations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an LPN make in Chicago?

According to BLS May 2025 data, the median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area was $78,070. Actual earnings vary by employer, experience, work setting, and schedule.

What is the average LPN salary in Illinois?

The May 2025 BLS data reports an Illinois mean annual wage of $73,430 and a median annual wage of $75,000 for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses. The median is the better measure of a typical wage, while the mean is useful as additional context.

Do new LPN graduates earn the same as experienced nurses?

Not necessarily. BLS occupational wage estimates include workers at different experience levels. A new graduate’s starting offer may differ depending on the employer, location, job responsibilities, and experience requirements.