Senior Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Moline, IL: $84,130 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of licensed practical nurses working in Moline, IL — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $84,130/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2061. Strip back Moline's price premium (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $86,643 in average-cost America. The 22% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, experienced licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Moline, Illinois, can anticipate robust compensation, with top earners reaching as much as $84,130 annually. This figure places Moline's senior LPNs slightly ahead of the national top-tier earners, reflecting the upward trend in salaries for skilled practitioners in the healthcare sector. With a median annual salary of $68,954 for LPNs in the region, the gap between mid-level wages and the highest 10% emphasizes the premium attached to experience and specialization. Achieving top-tier pay in Moline demands not only an extensive foundation of experience—typically over seven years—but also a commitment to continuing education and certification in lucrative specializations.
About the Moline Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moline
Experienced licensed practical nurses at the top of the pay scale in Moline earn between $80,421 and $84,130 per year (2026 est.). This $30,085 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Moline median of $68,954 sits 1.3% above the US median.
Top LPN Salary Comparison
| Level | Moline | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $68,954 | $68,071 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,421 | $80,364 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $84,130 | $88,196 |
In Moline, experienced licensed practical nurses (P90) earn 22.01% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in Moline
Advanced Certifications in Illinois
IL licensed practical nurses with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $68,954 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Moline employers.
Specialty Focus
Licensed Practical Nurses focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Moline command premium compensation, often reaching the $80,421–$84,130 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Moline metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced licensed practical nurses who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured licensed practical nurses in Moline with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Licensed Practical Nurses in Illinois who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Licensed Practical Nurse Career & Wage Growth Path in Moline
Clinical Licensed Practical Nurse
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Licensed Practical Nurse
5-10 yearsLicensed Practical Nurse Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedMoline ranks #55 of 65 Illinois cities for top earner licensed practical nurse salary (90th percentile: $84,130).
Top 10% licensed practical nurse compensation in Moline ($84,130) is 14.48% below the Illinois average P90 ($98,374).
2019 BLS Actual
$60,439
2025 BLS Actual
$79,593
2026 Current Est.
$84,130
2019–2027 Growth
+47.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Moline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,439 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,499 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,849 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,269 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,593 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,130 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,925 | Projected |
Top-earning licensed practical nurses (90th percentile) in Moline saw their compensation grow 31.7% from $60,439 in 2019 to $79,593 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 5.70% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $88,925 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moline 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.
Maximizing Your Licensed Practical Nurse Earnings in Moline
Compensation for seasoned LPNs can vary considerably based on the type of employer. For instance, LPNs working in skilled nursing facilities or long-term care settings often earn more than those in home health agencies and physician offices. Specialties such as IV therapy, wound care, and hospice support tend to command premium pay, reflecting the increased skill requirements and demand for these services. Advancement opportunities are also ripe for those pursuing leadership roles, such as charge LPNs or nursing supervisors, providing a pathway to higher salaries. Additionally, engaging in LPN-to-RN bridge programs can significantly boost earning potential. Pursuing premium certifications further enhances an LPN's viability in the job market. Besides salary, non-monetary benefits like shift differentials and weekend premiums at long-term care facilities add value to the senior licensed practical nurse pay in IL, ensuring a fulfilling professional trajectory.
More salary data for Moline, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced licensed practical nurses make in Moline in 2026?
What drives higher licensed practical nurse pay in Moline?
What certifications boost licensed practical nurse salary in Moline?
Can experienced licensed practical nurses make six figures in Moline?
How much does licensed practical nurse salary increase over time in Moline?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $79,593 for licensed practical nurses in the Moline metro area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Moline 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