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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.
What does a Licensed Practical Nurse actually earn in 2026? The national weighted average lands at $63,666 — but that single number is deceptively simple. Across the 288 cities in our database, median pay ranges from $49,397 to $118,504. The $44,566 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.
$69,107 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Licensed Practical Nurse in Santa Clara, California earns a median of $118,504 — $69,107 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($49,397). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. In the right market, this is a six-figure career path.
The salary distribution for Licensed Practical Nurses reveals a $44,566 spread from entry to senior. At $63,666, the median sits $16,701 below the national median household income of $80,367. Context matters: this is an individual salary, compared against household income. The P10 floor of $45,839 represents early-career or part-time positions, while the $90,405 ceiling captures experienced professionals in premium markets.
Contrast that with the lowest-paying markets: The top 3 paying cities (Santa Clara, Irvine, San Francisco) average $112,173 — while the bottom 3 (Toledo, Jackson, Macon) average $50,611. That $61,562 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.
A Licensed Practical Nurse in Santa Clara, California earns a median of $118,504 — $69,107 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($49,397). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
The national average entry-level (P10) salary for Licensed Practical Nurse is $45,839, while senior-level (P90) earners average $90,405. That $44,566 trajectory represents the earning growth a career in this field can deliver.
| Country | Coverage | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 288 | $45,839 | $63,666 | $90,405 |
| United Kingdom | 27 | £23,516 | £32,661 | £46,378 |
| Canada | 21 | CA$36,413 | CA$50,574 | CA$71,815 |
| Australia | 13 | A$42,097 | A$58,468 | A$83,025 |
| Sweden | 24 | 248,514 kr | 345,159 kr | 490,125 kr |
| State | Cities | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 1 | $58,229 | $80,874 | $114,841 |
| California | 61 | $52,318 | $72,663 | $103,182 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $50,435 | $70,048 | $99,469 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $49,113 | $68,212 | $96,861 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $47,822 | $66,420 | $94,316 |
| Washington | 8 | $46,866 | $65,091 | $92,429 |
| Oregon | 5 | $46,343 | $64,365 | $91,398 |
| Colorado | 11 | $46,098 | $64,025 | $90,916 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $46,073 | $63,991 | $90,867 |
| New York | 5 | $45,853 | $63,684 | $90,432 |
| Illinois | 5 | $45,749 | $63,541 | $90,228 |
| Nevada | 5 | $45,225 | $62,812 | $89,193 |
| Virginia | 7 | $45,199 | $62,776 | $89,142 |
| Idaho | 3 | $45,199 | $62,776 | $89,143 |
| Utah | 4 | $44,823 | $62,254 | $88,400 |
| Florida | 22 | $44,781 | $62,195 | $88,318 |
| Arizona | 12 | $44,737 | $62,134 | $88,231 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $44,683 | $62,060 | $88,125 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $44,167 | $61,343 | $87,107 |
| Tennessee | 6 | $43,866 | $60,925 | $86,513 |
| Michigan | 6 | $43,816 | $60,855 | $86,414 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $43,794 | $60,825 | $86,371 |
| Connecticut | 5 | $43,703 | $60,698 | $86,191 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $43,006 | $59,730 | $84,817 |
| Alaska | 1 | $43,006 | $59,730 | $84,817 |
| Iowa | 2 | $43,006 | $59,730 | $84,817 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $43,006 | $59,730 | $84,817 |
| Montana | 1 | $43,006 | $59,730 | $84,817 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $42,418 | $58,914 | $83,658 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $42,361 | $58,834 | $83,545 |
| North Carolina | 9 | $42,356 | $58,827 | $83,535 |
| Texas | 40 | $42,298 | $58,747 | $83,422 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $42,157 | $58,551 | $83,142 |
| Georgia | 6 | $42,038 | $58,386 | $82,908 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $41,985 | $58,312 | $82,803 |
| Indiana | 3 | $41,873 | $58,157 | $82,583 |
| Alabama | 5 | $41,406 | $57,508 | $81,662 |
| Ohio | 6 | $41,314 | $57,381 | $81,481 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $41,286 | $57,341 | $81,424 |
| Maryland | 1 | $41,242 | $57,281 | $81,339 |
| Missouri | 4 | $41,210 | $57,236 | $81,276 |
| Kansas | 4 | $41,114 | $57,102 | $81,085 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $40,941 | $56,863 | $80,745 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $40,727 | $56,565 | $80,322 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $38,103 | $52,921 | $75,148 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $36,340 | $50,472 | $71,670 |
At the state level, Hawaii leads with an average Licensed Practical Nurse median of $80,874 across 1 cities, followed by California ($72,663) and Massachusetts ($70,048). The demand picture adds context to these salary numbers. The lowest-paying states — Mississippi, Arkansas, Nebraska — offer medians between $50,472 and $56,565. 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. Santa Clara ($118,504 nominal, 198 cost index) delivers $59,851 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.
Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.
| # | City | Nominal Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oceanside California | $87,504 | 146 | $59,934 | $54,868 |
| 2 | Santa Clara California | $118,504 | 198 | $59,851 | $72,194 |
| 3 | Boston Massachusetts | $90,371 | 151 | $59,848 | $60,390 |
| 4 | Huntington Beach California | $101,123 | 169 | $59,836 | $62,626 |
| 5 | Fremont California | $105,901 | 177 | $59,831 | $65,256 |
| 6 | Irvine California | $110,082 | 184 | $59,827 | $67,558 |
| 7 | Bellevue Washington | $101,063 | 169 | $59,801 | $76,034 |
| 8 | Thousand Oaks California | $96,106 | 161 | $59,693 | $59,775 |
| 9 | Los Angeles California | $87,743 | 147 | $59,689 | $55,004 |
| 10 | Anaheim California | $87,146 | 146 | $59,689 | $54,664 |
The $44,566 gap between P10 and P90 represents the earning trajectory of a Licensed Practical Nurse career. Senior-level earners make 2.0× 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.
The weighted national median salary for Licensed Practical Nurses is $63,666 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $45,839, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $90,405.
The highest-paying city for Licensed Practical Nurses is Santa Clara, California with a median salary of $118,504. The top 3 cities are Santa Clara ($118,504), Irvine ($110,082), San Francisco ($107,932). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power.
The lowest median Licensed Practical Nurse salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $49,397. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living.
Entry-level Licensed Practical Nurses (10th percentile) average $45,839 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $85,323. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary.
At the 90th percentile (senior level), Licensed Practical Nurses average $90,405 nationally — $44,566 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Licensed Practical Nurses can earn up to $168,276.
The top-paying states for Licensed Practical Nurses are Hawaii ($80,874 median), California ($72,663 median), Massachusetts ($70,048 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally.
The typical education path for a Licensed Practical Nurse involves Postsecondary certificate. The field is in the Healthcare sector (Healthcare), and the career outlook is growing. Work style is typically clinical.
With a national median of $63,666 and representation across 288 metro areas, Licensed Practical Nurse offers a foundation that can be strengthened by strategic location choices. The $44,566 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: growing.
All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities.
Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks.
Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation.
State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available.