Licensed practical nurse (LPN) pay in Chicago, IL
Licensed practical nurses in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a typical $78,070 a year. The middle half earn $72,860 to $81,080, and the top 10% earn more than $96,530. About 11,420 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, SOC 29-2061).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $62,200 |
| 25th percentile | $72,860 |
| Median (typical) | $78,070 |
| 75th percentile | $81,080 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $96,530 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 11 of 50 large metros for licensed practical nurses before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $78,070, a single filer keeps about $60,000 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and Illinois state income tax. Prices in Chicago are 4% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $57,900 would in a typical US city. That ranks Chicago No. 9 of 50 large metros for licensed practical nurses after cost of living.
Where licensed practical nurses’ pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA$95,320 typical · worth $64.5k
- Seattle, WA$85,690 typical · worth $62.2k
- Las Vegas, NV$75,920 typical · worth $62.1k
- San Francisco, CA$94,310 typical · worth $61.1k
All 50 metros for licensed practical nurses →
Where does your salary land?
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Common questions
How much does a licensed practical nurse (lpn) make in Chicago, IL?
The typical (median) licensed practical nurse (lpn) in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earns $78,070 a year. The middle half earn between $72,860 and $81,080, and the top 10% earn more than $96,530. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Chicago?
Anything above $78,070 pays more than half of licensed practical nurses in Chicago. $81,080 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $96,530 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a licensed practical nurse (lpn) in Chicago take home after taxes?
At the typical $78,070, a single filer keeps about $60,000 a year ($5,000 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, Illinois state income tax. With local prices 4% above the US average, that buys what $57,900 would in a typical US city.
Where do licensed practical nurses get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical licensed practical nurse (lpn) pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in San Jose, CA, Seattle, WA, Las Vegas, NV. Chicago, IL ranks No. 9.
More: Licensed practical nurse (LPN) pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in Chicago, IL
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.