LPN Salary

Bowie vs Salisbury: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

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

Bowie, MD
$74,038
$35.60/hr
Salisbury, MD
$69,477
$33.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBowie, MDSalisbury, MD
Median Salary$74,038$69,477
Hourly Rate$35.60$33.40
Entry Level (P10)$55,027$53,495
25th Percentile$65,715$63,335
75th Percentile$86,587$76,548
Top Earner (P90)$93,729$77,690
Total Employed10240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bowie ($74,038) and Salisbury ($69,477) licensed practical nurse salaries.BowieSalisburyMedian Salary$74,038$69,477Entry Level (P10)$55,027$53,495Top Earner (P90)$93,729$77,690US Median $68,071

Verdict

Bowie, MD offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Salisbury.

The salary gap between Bowie and Salisbury is $4,561 (6.56%). Bowie's median is +8.77% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bowie spans $38,702,Salisbury spans $24,195. Bowie has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bowie
P10 (Entry)$55,027
P25$65,715
Median$74,038
P75$86,587
P90 (Top)$93,729
Salisbury
P10 (Entry)$53,495
P25$63,335
Median$69,477
P75$76,548
P90 (Top)$77,690

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salisbury ($72,662 effective) pays 7.27% more than Bowie ($67,738 effective).

Bowie
Nominal: $74,038
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $67,738
Salisbury
Nominal: $69,477
CoL Index: 95.617
Adjusted: $72,662

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bowie if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,038/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($93,729)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Salisbury if…

  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,662)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Bowie grew 3.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.7% growth in Salisbury over the same period.

Bowie, MD

+3.9%

$67,435 (2024) → $70,045 (2025)

Salisbury, MD

+33.7%

$49,160 (2019) → $65,730 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Bowie or Salisbury?

Bowie has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $74,038/year, compared to Salisbury at $69,477/year — a difference of $4,561 (6.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bowie and Salisbury?

Bowie licensed practical nurses earn $35.60/hr while Salisbury hygienists earn $33.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bowie to Salisbury as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bowie and Salisbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bowie = $67,738, Salisbury = $72,662), job availability (10 vs 240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Bowie vs Salisbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $55,027 in Bowie and $53,495 in Salisbury. The Bowie 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