Senior Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Oak Park, IL: $88,904 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of licensed practical nurses working in Oak Park, IL — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $88,904/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2061. Strip back Oak Park's price premium (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $91,559 in average-cost America. The 26% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the competitive landscape of healthcare, the earnings for an experienced licensed practical nurse in Oak Park, IL, present significant opportunities for seasoned professionals. With a 2026 median annual salary of $70,315, the potential for top earners is notably higher, with the 90th percentile earning approximately $88,904 and the 75th percentile averaging $82,004. This demonstrates a substantial income gap between median figures and the higher echelons of pay, reflective of specialized skills, advanced roles, and considerable experience. Achieving this top-tier status often requires not only hands-on patient care but also additional certifications and a successful track record in high-demand specialties, which can position LPNs for greater financial rewards in a rapidly evolving healthcare sector.
About the Oak Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Park
Experienced licensed practical nurses at the top of the pay scale in Oak Park earn between $82,004 and $88,904 per year (2026 est.). This $36,841 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Oak Park median of $70,315 sits 3.3% above the US median.
Top LPN Salary Comparison
| Level | Oak Park | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $70,315 | $68,071 |
| 75th Percentile | $82,004 | $80,364 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $88,904 | $88,196 |
In Oak Park, experienced licensed practical nurses (P90) earn 26.44% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in Oak Park
Advanced Certifications in Illinois
IL licensed practical nurses with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $70,315 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Oak Park employers.
Specialty Focus
Licensed Practical Nurses focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Oak Park command premium compensation, often reaching the $82,004–$88,904 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Oak Park 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 Oak Park 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 Oak Park
Clinical Licensed Practical Nurse
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Licensed Practical Nurse
5-10 yearsLicensed Practical Nurse Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedOak Park ranks #24 of 65 Illinois cities for top earner licensed practical nurse salary (90th percentile: $88,904).
Top 10% licensed practical nurse compensation in Oak Park ($88,904) is 9.63% below the Illinois average P90 ($98,374).
2019 BLS Actual
$63,869
2025 BLS Actual
$84,110
2026 Current Est.
$88,904
2019–2027 Growth
+47.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Oak Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,869 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,046 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,302 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,233 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,495 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,314 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,904 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,972 | Projected |
Top-earning licensed practical nurses (90th percentile) in Oak Park saw their compensation grow 31.7% from $63,869 in 2019 to $84,110 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 $93,972 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Park 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 Oak Park
To capitalize on the lucrative senior licensed practical nurse pay in IL, professionals can focus on key specializations that command premium rates in Oak Park. Areas like long-term care, IV therapy certification, and hospice care are particularly lucrative, as they cater to the complex needs of patients requiring extended support and skilled interventions. Additionally, the type of employer plays a significant role in shaping compensation; skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies typically offer higher pay than other settings such as physician offices or outpatient care environments. Pursuing leadership roles, such as a charge LPN or transitioning to an LPN-to-RN bridge program, can significantly affect earning potential. Moreover, obtaining advanced credentials boosts salary prospects; holding an active LPN/LVN license and additional certifications can lead to positions that offer both higher salaries and enticing benefits like shift differentials and weekend premiums. Understanding these dynamics is essential for those aiming to achieve and maintain high pay levels in Oak Park's healthcare market.
More salary data for Oak Park, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced licensed practical nurses make in Oak Park in 2026?
What drives higher licensed practical nurse pay in Oak Park?
What certifications boost licensed practical nurse salary in Oak Park?
Can experienced licensed practical nurses make six figures in Oak Park?
How much does licensed practical nurse salary increase over time in Oak Park?
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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 $84,110 for licensed practical nurses in the Oak Park 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 Oak Park 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