LPN Salary

Cincinnati vs Cleveland Heights: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Cleveland Heights, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$67,838
$32.61/hr
Cleveland Heights, OH
$62,177
$29.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHCleveland Heights, OH
Median Salary$67,838$62,177
Hourly Rate$32.61$29.89
Entry Level (P10)$54,509$50,079
25th Percentile$62,405$57,786
75th Percentile$74,413$71,952
Top Earner (P90)$79,603$77,135
Total Employed6,4009
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($67,838) and Cleveland Heights ($62,177) licensed practical nurse salaries.CincinnatiCleveland HeightsMedian Salary$67,838$62,177Entry Level (P10)$54,509$50,079Top Earner (P90)$79,603$77,135US Median $68,071

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cleveland Heights.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Cleveland Heights is $5,661 (9.10%). Cincinnati's median is -0.34% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $25,094,Cleveland Heights spans $27,056. Cleveland Heights has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$54,509
P25$62,405
Median$67,838
P75$74,413
P90 (Top)$79,603
Cleveland Heights
P10 (Entry)$50,079
P25$57,786
Median$62,177
P75$71,952
P90 (Top)$77,135

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($71,131 effective) pays 3.76% more than Cleveland Heights ($68,552 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $67,838
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $71,131
Cleveland Heights
Nominal: $62,177
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $68,552

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,838/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,603)
  • Larger job market (6,400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,131)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cleveland Heights if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Cincinnati grew 33.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.0% growth in Cleveland Heights over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+33.7%

$48,020 (2019) → $64,180 (2025)

Cleveland Heights, OH

+22.0%

$48,198 (2024) → $58,824 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Cincinnati or Cleveland Heights?

Cincinnati has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $67,838/year, compared to Cleveland Heights at $62,177/year — a difference of $5,661 (9.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Cleveland Heights?

Cincinnati licensed practical nurses earn $32.61/hr while Cleveland Heights hygienists earn $29.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Cleveland Heights as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Cleveland Heights. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $71,131, Cleveland Heights = $68,552), job availability (6,400 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Cincinnati vs Cleveland Heights?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $54,509 in Cincinnati and $50,079 in Cleveland Heights. The Cincinnati 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