LPN Salary

Amherst Town vs Worcester: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Amherst Town, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Amherst Town, MA
$82,531
$39.68/hr
Worcester, MA
$83,566
$40.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAmherst Town, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$82,531$83,566
Hourly Rate$39.68$40.18
Entry Level (P10)$70,047$67,151
25th Percentile$77,605$78,028
75th Percentile$87,541$86,621
Top Earner (P90)$91,304$102,730
Total Employed2202,030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Amherst Town ($82,531) and Worcester ($83,566) licensed practical nurse salaries.Amherst TownWorcesterMedian Salary$82,531$83,566Entry Level (P10)$70,047$67,151Top Earner (P90)$91,304$102,730US Median $68,071

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Amherst Town.

The salary gap between Amherst Town and Worcester is $1,035 (1.25%). Worcester's median is +22.76% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Amherst Town spans $21,257,Worcester spans $35,579. Worcester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Amherst Town
P10 (Entry)$70,047
P25$77,605
Median$82,531
P75$87,541
P90 (Top)$91,304
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$67,151
P25$78,028
Median$83,566
P75$86,621
P90 (Top)$102,730

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Amherst Town ($82,331 effective) pays 1.01% more than Worcester ($81,510 effective).

Amherst Town
Nominal: $82,531
CoL Index: 100.243
Adjusted: $82,331
Worcester
Nominal: $83,566
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $81,510

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Amherst Town if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $82,331)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,566/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,730)
  • Larger job market (2,030 employed)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Amherst Town grew 7.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 40.0% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Amherst Town, MA

+7.6%

$72,570 (2024) → $78,080 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+40.0%

$56,490 (2019) → $79,060 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Amherst Town or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $83,566/year, compared to Amherst Town at $82,531/year — a difference of $1,035 (1.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Amherst Town and Worcester?

Amherst Town licensed practical nurses earn $39.68/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $40.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Amherst Town to Worcester as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Amherst Town and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Amherst Town = $82,331, Worcester = $81,510), job availability (220 vs 2,030 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Amherst Town vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $70,047 in Amherst Town and $67,151 in Worcester. The Amherst Town area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov