IL · Rockford · Updated October 15, 2026

Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in Rockford, IL

The median licensed practical nurse pay in the Rockford area is $29.85 per hour ($62,090 a year), with the typical range running from $27.58 to $34.58. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Rockford. The CMS hospital directory lists 3 hospitals in Rockford. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Rockford.

Open Licensed Practical Nurse roles in Rockford

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Licensed Practical Nurse pay in Rockford, IL

The metro median is 6% below the Illinois statewide median of $31.74 per hour. Nationally the median is $29.97 per hour. BLS counts about 520 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses employed in the Rockford metro area, 3.7 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.91).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$22.70$47,22024% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$27.58$57,3708% below U.S. median
Median$29.85$62,090in line with U.S. median
Upper quartile$34.58$71,93015% above U.S. median
Top 10%$37.76$78,54026% above U.S. median

How Rockford ranks

  • 142nd of 386 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 97th of 341 after adjusting for local prices
  • 6th of 7 Illinois metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (SOC 29-2061), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Rockford

  • Overall prices in Rockford run 8% below the U.S. average (index 92.2, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 30% below the U.S. average (index 70.1).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $29.85 median hour buys what $32.39 buys at the national price level, 8% above the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Estimate your Rockford paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,075
  • Per year: $53,730
  • Per month: $4,478

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Rockford metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Rockford

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$110
Meals and incidentals per day$68
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,246
13-week assignment$16,198

Travel licensed practical nurse assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Hospitals in Rockford

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Rockford, 0 of the 3 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of licensed practical nurses.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Javon Bea Hospital
Rockford, IL
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Uw Health
Rockford, IL
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Saint Anthony Medical Center
Rockford, IL
Acute careNonprofit2 of 5Yes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Primary care shortage areas in Winnebago County

HRSA lists 2 active primary care shortage designations that include Winnebago County (1 population-group, 1 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 22 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Licensed Practical Nurse pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Janesville, WI30 mi$29.18/hr66,428
Elgin, IL41 mi$35.06/hr114,701
Hoffman Estates, IL49 mi$35.06/hr50,920
Aurora, IL52 mi$35.06/hr180,710
Schaumburg, IL53 mi$35.06/hr77,099
Palatine, IL53 mi$35.06/hr65,951

Licensed Practical Nurse jobs in Illinois · Licensed Practical Nurse jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Illinois

Illinois is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact as of October 15, 2026, so a nurse licensed elsewhere applies to the Illinois board for a license by endorsement before working here.

Illinois taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Illinois state guide · Nurse Licensure Compact guide

Other healthcare roles in Rockford

Rockford city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do licensed practical nurses make in Rockford, IL?

Licensed Practical Nurses in the Rockford metro area have a median pay of $29.85 per hour, about $62,090 a year. The middle half earn between $27.58 and $34.58 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Rockford a good place for licensed practical nurses once cost of living is counted?

Rockford ranks 97th of 341 metro areas for licensed practical nurse pay after adjusting for local prices, and 142nd of 386 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring licensed practical nurses in Rockford?

We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in Rockford. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Rockford.

Do I need a Illinois license to work in Rockford as a licensed practical nurse?

Illinois is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact as of October 15, 2026, so a nurse licensed elsewhere applies to the Illinois board for a license by endorsement before working here. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Rockford in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 2 active primary care shortage designations that include Winnebago County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Rockford?

The federal per diem benchmark in Rockford is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place licensed practical nurses in Rockford?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Rockford and across Illinois. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Rockford.

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The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

Pay report · LPN / LVN near Rockford, IL
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your LPN / LVN pay reportRockford, IL · pay published by hospitals, collected October 15, 2026

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Central Maine Healthcare CorporationChicago, IL · 17 postings$35.50/ hr$31–$40
  • AccentCareElmwood Park, IL · 2 postings$34.74/ hr$32–$37
  • MercyIllinois · 7 postings$28.97/ hr$22–$37
  • Hospital Sisters Health SystemSpringfield, IL · 2 postings$28.94/ hr$23–$35

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.

2What they are offering now

Low$23Median$32.26High$40

38 LPN / LVN postings with published pay in Illinois, 32 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 38 LPN / LVN roles

  1. *Licensed Practical Nurse LPN - ObservationPermanent
    $31.00–$40.00/ hour
    Central Maine Healthcare Corporation · Chicago, IL · posted today
  2. Licensed Practical Nurse LPN - TelemetryPermanent
    $31.00–$40.00/ hour
    Central Maine Healthcare Corporation · Chicago, IL · posted today

+ 36 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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