Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse Salary in Chicago, IL
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $78,070 a year — 21% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,033 take-home, or $5,003 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,345
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,840
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,132
- Illinois income tax$3,720
- Take-home pay$60,033
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,200 | $29.90 | $49,224 | $4,102 |
| 25th percentile | $72,860 | $35.03 | $56,625 | $4,719 |
| Median (50th) | $78,070 | $37.53 | $60,033 | $5,003 |
| 75th percentile | $81,080 | $38.98 | $62,001 | $5,167 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,530 | $46.41 | $72,105 | $6,009 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,070 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse's $60,033 take-home pay has the buying power of $57,949 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse jobs are less concentrated in Chicago, IL than nationally (location quotient 0.61), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #8 of 53 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $95,320 | $70,013 | $63,405 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $85,690 | $69,113 | $62,189 |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | $75,920 | $62,240 | $62,106 |
| 4 | Providence, RI | $78,990 | $62,054 | $60,973 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $94,310 | $69,410 | $60,036 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $78,080 | $62,016 | $60,026 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $82,190 | $62,761 | $57,969 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $78,070 | $60,033 | $57,949 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 53 metros →
About the job: licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.0% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse make in Chicago, IL?
The median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $78,070 a year, or about $37.53 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $72,860 and $81,080.
What is a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $78,070 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $60,033 a year ($5,003 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,720 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse?
Pay here is 21% above the national median of $64,400. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $57,949 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #8 of 53 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 31% of a median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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