LPN Salary

Baltimore vs Frederick: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Baltimore, MD and Frederick, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$79,127
$38.04/hr
Frederick, MD
$72,788
$35.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDFrederick, MD
Median Salary$79,127$72,788
Hourly Rate$38.04$35.00
Entry Level (P10)$64,614$58,022
25th Percentile$69,255$67,492
75th Percentile$83,429$87,984
Top Earner (P90)$101,609$97,190
Total Employed5,12015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($79,127) and Frederick ($72,788) licensed practical nurse salaries.BaltimoreFrederickMedian Salary$79,127$72,788Entry Level (P10)$64,614$58,022Top Earner (P90)$101,609$97,190US Median $68,071

Verdict

Baltimore, MD offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Frederick.

The salary gap between Baltimore and Frederick is $6,339 (8.71%). Baltimore's median is +16.24% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $36,995,Frederick spans $39,168. Frederick has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$64,614
P25$69,255
Median$79,127
P75$83,429
P90 (Top)$101,609
Frederick
P10 (Entry)$58,022
P25$67,492
Median$72,788
P75$87,984
P90 (Top)$97,190

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baltimore ($75,729 effective) pays 13.72% more than Frederick ($66,595 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $79,127
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $75,729
Frederick
Nominal: $72,788
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $66,595

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,127/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,609)
  • Larger job market (5,120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,729)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Frederick if…

  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Baltimore grew 35.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.9% growth in Frederick over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+35.2%

$55,390 (2019) → $74,860 (2025)

Frederick, MD

+3.9%

$66,297 (2024) → $68,863 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Baltimore or Frederick?

Baltimore has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $79,127/year, compared to Frederick at $72,788/year — a difference of $6,339 (8.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Frederick?

Baltimore licensed practical nurses earn $38.04/hr while Frederick hygienists earn $35.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Frederick as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Frederick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $75,729, Frederick = $66,595), job availability (5,120 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Baltimore vs Frederick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $64,614 in Baltimore and $58,022 in Frederick. The Baltimore 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