Licensed Practical Nurse

Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation - then adjust for cost of living.

Avg Entry (P10)

$38849

Avg Median

$62659

Avg Senior (P90)

$90855

Coverage

288

U.S. cities

Key Findings

• 1 National median Licensed Practical Nurse salary: $62,659 (2026)
• 2 Entry (P10): $38,849 → Senior (P90): $90,855 - a $52,006 career spread
• 3 Highest-paying city:
  Sunnyvale, California at $114,480
• 4 Top-paying state:
  California with $75,857 average across 61 cities
• 5 $ 69,660 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities
• 6 Coverage: 288 U.S. cities across 46 states - sourced from BLS OEWS data

Overview

What does a Licensed Practical Nurse actually earn in 2026? The national weighted average lands at $62,659 - but that single number is deceptively simple. Across the 288 cities in our database, median pay ranges from $44,820 to $114,480. The $52,006 gap between entry-level (P10) and senior (P90) pay tells you this career has real earning trajectory - if you're in the right place.

Licensed Practical Nurse falls within the Healthcare sector, specifically in Healthcare. The typical education path involves Postsecondary certificate. The career outlook? Growing. Work style is clinical - which means location flexibility varies, and so does the premium different markets are willing to pay. In the right market, this is a six-figure career path.

$69,660 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Licensed Practical Nurse in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $114,480 - $69,660 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($44,820). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. In the right market, this is a six-figure career path.

Salary Breakdown

The salary distribution for Licensed Practical Nurses reveals a $52,006 spread from entry to senior. At $62,659, the median sits $17,708 below the national median household income of $80,367. Context matters: this is an individual salary, compared against household income. The P10 floor of $38,849 represents early-career or part-time positions, while the $90,855 ceiling captures experienced professionals in premium markets.

Contrast that with the lowest-paying markets:
The top 3 paying cities (Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Irvine) average $106,920 - while the bottom 3 (Toledo, Detroit, Akron) average $45,180. That $61,740 gap means choosing the right city could be the equivalent of a major promotion. For early-career professionals, the geographic pay premium is worth the math.

Geographic Premium

A Licensed Practical Nurse in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $114,480 - $69,660 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($44,820). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.

The national average entry-level (P10) salary for Licensed Practical Nurse is $38,849, while senior-level (P90) earners average $90,855. That $52,006 trajectory represents the earning growth a career in this field can deliver.

At the state level, California leads with an average Licensed Practical Nurse median of $75,857 across 61 cities, followed by Massachusetts ($73,305) and Hawaii ($72,900). The demand picture adds context to these salary numbers. The lowest-paying states - Mississippi, Ohio, Iowa - offer medians between $45,360 and $47,520. But state averages mask city-level variation that's often just as large.

When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Sunnyvale ($114,480 nominal, 212 cost index) delivers $54,000 in purchasing power - maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.

Purchasing Power

Raw salary divided by the local cost index - this shows where your paycheck buys the most.

The $52,006 gap between P10 and P90 represents the earning trajectory of a Licensed Practical Nurse career. Senior-level earners make 2.3× what entry-level professionals do - a solid progression that justifies the upfront investment. In the Healthcare sector, growing, which shapes both starting salaries and long-term ceiling.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Licensed Practical Nurse salary in 2026? +

The weighted national median salary for Licensed Practical Nurses is $62,659 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $38,849, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $90,855.

Where do Licensed Practical Nurses get paid the most? +

The highest-paying city for Licensed Practical Nurses is Sunnyvale, California with a median salary of $114,480. The top 3 cities are Sunnyvale ($114,480), Santa Clara…