Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Palatine, IL: $34.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Palatine, IL runs $34.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,971 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Palatine's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,582 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Palatine, IL, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to be $34.12 in 2026, which exceeds the national median hourly rate of $32.73 by over 4%. This competitive rate can significantly impact part-time workers, allowing an LPN who works three days a week to earn a decent income while maintaining flexibility. Most licensed practical nurses find employment in skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, physician offices, hospice settings, correctional facilities, and assisted living medication rooms. The hourly pay for entry-level positions starts at $25.63, while experienced professionals at the top end of the spectrum can earn as much as $43.78. The variety in work settings also influences the earning potential, as certain environments offer different hourly rates based on their unique challenges and requirements.
About the Palatine Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.63 | $205.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.57 | $244.55 |
| Median (P50) | $34.12 | $272.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.18 | $321.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.78 | $350.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Palatine
Based on $34.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.12/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Palatine, IL can expect to earn approximately $70,970 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,944. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Palatine.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Palatine
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,364.80 | $5,914 | $70,970 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $818.88 | $3,548 | $42,582 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $545.92 | $2,366 | $28,388 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Palatine) | $34.12 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Palatine, IL earn a median of $70,971 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.26% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.20% above the Illinois state average of $70,830.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.12/hr = $42,582/year (purchasing power: $43,853).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,970/year (purchasing power: $73,089).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Palatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Palatine grew 35.6% from $23.80/hr (2019) to $32.28/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.06/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palatine 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.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Palatine
For licensed practical nurses considering part-time opportunities, working three 8-hour shifts a week totals 24 hours, which can lead to an annual take-home pay of approximately $42,659, significantly lower than a full-time LPN’s potential earnings. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Palatine typically ranges from $28 to $42 per hour, while agency nurses staffing struggling nursing facilities might earn between $45 and $60 hourly. It's worth noting that hourly rates can differ based on the type of employer, with skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies offering varying levels of compensation. However, higher hourly wages are sometimes accompanied by fewer benefits, thus leading some LPNs to choose lower pay jobs that offer more comprehensive health coverage. Negotiating for pay in Palatine can be an effective strategy; talking about the skill set and the local demand can help licensed practical nurses secure better hourly rates, adjusting for the cost of living index in the area.
More salary data for Palatine, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Palatine in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Palatine?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Palatine. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Palatine 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