Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Carbondale, IL: $66,343 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Carbondale, IL earns a median $66,343/year (≈ $31.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Carbondale's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $68,324 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for licensed practical nurses in Carbondale, Illinois, is set at $66,343 in 2026, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $68,071. Salaries can vary significantly in this region, ranging from $57,117 at the 10th percentile to a high of $81,863 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. Given Illinois' specific scope-of-practice rules for LPNs—including tasks like IV therapy and patient assessment—these roles are essential in various healthcare settings. The local job market, while employing just 5 licensed practical nurses, indicates a targeted demand within the community, potentially influenced by the state’s healthcare policies.
About the Carbondale Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,117 | $27.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,138 | $30.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,343 | $31.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,027 | $37.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,863 | $39.35 |
Median Salary Position
2.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carbondale
In Carbondale, IL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,746 (2026 est.). At $66,343, the local median is 2.54% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Carbondale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carbondale Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Carbondale median: $66,343/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carbondale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $70,803 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -2.54% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Carbondale, IL earn a median of $66,343 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.54% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 6.30% below the Illinois state average of $70,803.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carbondale has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carbondale, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $66,343 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,324 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,950
2025 BLS Actual
$62,765
2026 Current Est.
$66,343
2019–2027 Growth
+67.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Carbondale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,388 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,765 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,343 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,124 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carbondale metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 49.6% from $41,950 (2019) to $62,765 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,124 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,174 (67.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carbondale 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $57,117 – $64,138 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,138 – $66,343 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,343 – $77,027 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,027 – $81,863 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Carbondale
The cost of living in Carbondale, with an index of 97.1, suggests that LPNs can maintain a reasonable standard of living, though their salaries are slightly below the national average. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher compensation than home health agencies or physician offices, which can affect local licensed practical nurse pay in Carbondale, IL. Factors such as weekend shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and specific employer policies contribute to the range of salaries from entry-level to experienced LPNs. To maximize earning potential in this market, pursuing specialized certifications and seeking employment in long-term care facilities or hospitals that offer competitive pay structures is ideal. Given the evolving healthcare landscape, LPNs who consider LPN-to-RN bridge programs may also find increased opportunities for advancement and income in the future.
More salary data for Carbondale, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Carbondale, IL in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Carbondale?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Carbondale?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $62,765 for licensed practical nursesin the Carbondale metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Carbondale 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