LPN Salary

Atlantic City vs Union: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Union, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$73,092
$35.15/hr
Union, NJ
$79,164
$38.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJUnion, NJ
Median Salary$73,092$79,164
Hourly Rate$35.15$38.06
Entry Level (P10)$63,325$60,439
25th Percentile$67,743$71,649
75th Percentile$80,290$92,202
Top Earner (P90)$86,114$99,890
Total Employed75015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($73,092) and Union ($79,164) licensed practical nurse salaries.Atlantic CityUnionMedian Salary$73,092$79,164Entry Level (P10)$63,325$60,439Top Earner (P90)$86,114$99,890US Median $68,071

Verdict

Union, NJ offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Atlantic City.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Union is $6,072 (8.31%). Union's median is +16.30% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $22,789,Union spans $39,451. Union has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$63,325
P25$67,743
Median$73,092
P75$80,290
P90 (Top)$86,114
Union
P10 (Entry)$60,439
P25$71,649
Median$79,164
P75$92,202
P90 (Top)$99,890

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($73,937 effective) pays 7.59% more than Union ($68,719 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $73,092
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $73,937
Union
Nominal: $79,164
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $68,719

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Larger job market (750 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,937)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Union if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,164/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,890)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Atlantic City grew 31.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -0.9% growth in Union over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+31.5%

$52,590 (2019) → $69,150 (2025)

Union, NJ

+-0.9%

$75,593 (2024) → $74,895 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Atlantic City or Union?

Union has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $79,164/year, compared to Atlantic City at $73,092/year — a difference of $6,072 (8.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Union?

Atlantic City licensed practical nurses earn $35.15/hr while Union hygienists earn $38.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Union as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Union. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $73,937, Union = $68,719), job availability (750 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Atlantic City vs Union?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $63,325 in Atlantic City and $60,439 in Union. The Atlantic City area offers higher starting salaries.
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