LPN Salary

Andover vs Boston: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

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

Andover, MA
$78,833
$37.90/hr
Boston, MA
$86,875
$41.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAndover, MABoston, MA
Median Salary$78,833$86,875
Hourly Rate$37.90$41.77
Entry Level (P10)$63,213$65,196
25th Percentile$73,059$79,328
75th Percentile$91,026$92,033
Top Earner (P90)$97,467$99,474
Total Employed58,410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Andover ($78,833) and Boston ($86,875) licensed practical nurse salaries.AndoverBostonMedian Salary$78,833$86,875Entry Level (P10)$63,213$65,196Top Earner (P90)$97,467$99,474US Median $68,071

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Andover.

The salary gap between Andover and Boston is $8,042 (10.20%). Boston's median is +27.62% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Andover spans $34,254,Boston spans $34,278. Boston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Andover
P10 (Entry)$63,213
P25$73,059
Median$78,833
P75$91,026
P90 (Top)$97,467
Boston
P10 (Entry)$65,196
P25$79,328
Median$86,875
P75$92,033
P90 (Top)$99,474

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($80,242 effective) pays 10.44% more than Andover ($72,657 effective).

Andover
Nominal: $78,833
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $72,657
Boston
Nominal: $86,875
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $80,242

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Andover if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,875/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,474)
  • Larger job market (8,410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,242)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Andover grew -0.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.6% growth in Boston over the same period.

Andover, MA

+-0.5%

$74,994 (2024) → $74,582 (2025)

Boston, MA

+38.6%

$59,300 (2019) → $82,190 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Andover or Boston?

Boston has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $86,875/year, compared to Andover at $78,833/year — a difference of $8,042 (10.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Andover and Boston?

Andover licensed practical nurses earn $37.90/hr while Boston hygienists earn $41.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Andover to Boston as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Andover and Boston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Andover = $72,657, Boston = $80,242), job availability (5 vs 8,410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Andover vs Boston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $63,213 in Andover and $65,196 in Boston. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AM

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