LPN Salary

Skokie vs Springfield: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Skokie, IL and Springfield, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Skokie, IL
$69,243
$33.28/hr
Springfield, IL
$63,536
$30.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSkokie, ILSpringfield, IL
Median Salary$69,243$63,536
Hourly Rate$33.28$30.55
Entry Level (P10)$55,045$53,305
25th Percentile$62,629$63,082
75th Percentile$82,150$68,018
Top Earner (P90)$89,609$81,220
Total Employed12500
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Skokie ($69,243) and Springfield ($63,536) licensed practical nurse salaries.SkokieSpringfieldMedian Salary$69,243$63,536Entry Level (P10)$55,045$53,305Top Earner (P90)$89,609$81,220US Median $68,071

Verdict

Skokie, IL offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Springfield.

The salary gap between Skokie and Springfield is $5,707 (8.98%). Skokie's median is +1.72% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Skokie spans $34,564,Springfield spans $27,915. Skokie has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Skokie
P10 (Entry)$55,045
P25$62,629
Median$69,243
P75$82,150
P90 (Top)$89,609
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$53,305
P25$63,082
Median$63,536
P75$68,018
P90 (Top)$81,220

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Skokie ($71,311 effective) pays 4.09% more than Springfield ($68,506 effective).

Skokie
Nominal: $69,243
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $71,311
Springfield
Nominal: $63,536
CoL Index: 92.745
Adjusted: $68,506

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Skokie if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,243/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($89,609)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,311)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Skokie grew 11.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.1% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Skokie, IL

+11.3%

$58,854 (2024) → $65,509 (2025)

Springfield, IL

+33.1%

$45,170 (2019) → $60,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Skokie or Springfield?

Skokie has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $69,243/year, compared to Springfield at $63,536/year — a difference of $5,707 (8.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Skokie and Springfield?

Skokie licensed practical nurses earn $33.28/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $30.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Skokie to Springfield as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Skokie and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Skokie = $71,311, Springfield = $68,506), job availability (12 vs 500 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Skokie vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $55,045 in Skokie and $53,305 in Springfield. The Skokie area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AM

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.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov