How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Illinois (2026)
Illinois employs about 17,440 licensed practical nurses earning a median $75,000 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Licensed Practical Nurse here means completing a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
Compare Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in Illinois
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carl Sandburg College | 64.8 | Contact school for pricing | $45,741 | 45% | Yes* | 76 mi |
| 2 | Moraine Valley Community College | 60.0 | Contact school for pricing | $51,357 | 37% | Yes* | 74 mi |
| 3 | Sauk Valley Community College | 59.1 | Contact school for pricing | $54,209 | 50% | Yes* | 65 mi |
| 4 | Illinois Valley Community College | 58.3 | $4,200 - $16,385 | $48,989 | 43% | Yes* | 22 mi |
| 5 | Spoon River College | 56.1 | Contact school for pricing | $35,368 | 42% | Yes* | 68 mi |
| 6 | Joliet Junior College | 55.1 | $4,530 - $13,800 | $51,121 | 21% | Yes* | 52 mi |
| 7 | Kankakee Community College | 53.4 | $5,220 - $25,830 | $50,343 | 35% | Yes* | 57 mi |
| 8 | Heartland Community College | 51.7 | $5,550 - $16,727 | $48,942 | 53% | Yes* | 33 mi |
| 9 | Illinois Central College | 50.0 | Contact school for pricing | $55,058 | Not reported | Yes* | 36 mi |
| 10 | College of DuPage | 47.7 | Contact school for pricing | $55,984 | 25% | — | 73 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Illinois employs approximately 17,440 licensed practical nurses according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $75,000 1. Nationally, licensed practical nurse employment is projected to grow 2.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 54,400 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Illinois, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: state-approved practical or vocational nursing program (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure
- Exam: NCLEX-PN
- Median wage (Illinois): $75,000 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Illinois
How to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Illinois? Complete a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
How long does it take? Most people finish a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.
Do I need a license in Illinois? Licensing varies. Confirm with the program and employer. See the licensing section below.
What do licensed practical nurses earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for licensed practical nurses in Illinois is $75,000 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $58,880 and experienced professionals can earn $89,810 or more 1.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Illinois
- Meet program entry rules. Approved practical or vocational nursing programs in Illinois typically require a high school diploma or GED. Confirm current age and prerequisite rules with the program and the employer.
- Complete a state-approved PN or VN program. Finish a board-approved practical or vocational nursing program in Illinois. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Pass the NCLEX-PN. Apply to the employer for authorization to test, then pass the NCLEX-PN. An RN exam does not substitute.
- Apply for LPN or LVN licensure. Obtain the practical or vocational nursing license from the employer before practicing. Confirm reciprocity with the board.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Licensed Practical Nurse License Requirements in Illinois
Illinois licenses practical and vocational nurses through the employer. The path is an approved PN or VN program, the NCLEX-PN, and a state LPN or LVN license. Some states use the LVN title; others use LPN.
Typical path
Meet the program’s entry rules.
Complete a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program.
Pass the NCLEX-PN.
Apply to the employer for LPN or LVN licensure.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.
Licensed Practical Nurse Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses wages in Illinois vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 11,420 | $78,070 | $77,430 | $62,200 | $96,530 |
| St. Louis | 5,180 | $65,120 | $67,860 | $56,610 | $79,590 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 640 | $64,100 | $65,040 | $51,050 | $76,090 |
| Peoria | 630 | $72,270 | $69,630 | $58,040 | $78,870 |
| Springfield | 500 | $60,110 | $62,630 | $50,430 | $76,840 |
| Rockford | 440 | $70,090 | $69,320 | $52,170 | $82,460 |
| Cape Girardeau | 410 | $60,100 | $58,880 | $45,700 | $74,250 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 300 | $64,130 | $66,120 | $49,470 | $78,840 |
| Paducah | 300 | $62,060 | $59,980 | $50,750 | $65,270 |
| Kankakee | 240 | $65,910 | $67,410 | $52,830 | $80,630 |
| Decatur | 220 | $66,750 | $66,900 | $54,640 | $79,710 |
| Bloomington | 170 | $67,270 | $66,190 | $51,960 | $75,740 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for licensed practical nurses in Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 17,440 licensed practical nurses 1. Nationally, licensed practical nurse employment is projected to grow 2.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a licensed practical nurse in Illinois with an out-of-state license? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.
What training programs are available in Illinois? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Illinois.
How much do licensed practical nurses earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for licensed practical nurses in Illinois is $75,000, which is $12,660 above the national median of $62,340 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |