LPN Salary

Columbus vs Oxford: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

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

Columbus, OH
$65,439
$31.46/hr
Oxford, OH
$61,826
$29.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHOxford, OH
Median Salary$65,439$61,826
Hourly Rate$31.46$29.72
Entry Level (P10)$54,414$48,741
25th Percentile$60,101$60,322
75th Percentile$72,500$70,028
Top Earner (P90)$80,543$77,144
Total Employed7,2706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($65,439) and Oxford ($61,826) licensed practical nurse salaries.ColumbusOxfordMedian Salary$65,439$61,826Entry Level (P10)$54,414$48,741Top Earner (P90)$80,543$77,144US Median $68,071

Verdict

Columbus, OH offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Oxford.

The salary gap between Columbus and Oxford is $3,613 (5.84%). Columbus's median is -3.87% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $26,129,Oxford spans $28,403. Oxford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$54,414
P25$60,101
Median$65,439
P75$72,500
P90 (Top)$80,543
Oxford
P10 (Entry)$48,741
P25$60,322
Median$61,826
P75$70,028
P90 (Top)$77,144

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($68,545 effective) pays 0.56% more than Oxford ($68,165 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $65,439
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $68,545
Oxford
Nominal: $61,826
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $68,165

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,439/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,543)
  • Larger job market (7,270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,545)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Oxford if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Columbus grew 39.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.0% growth in Oxford over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+39.6%

$44,340 (2019) → $61,910 (2025)

Oxford, OH

+22.0%

$47,926 (2024) → $58,492 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Columbus or Oxford?

Columbus has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $65,439/year, compared to Oxford at $61,826/year — a difference of $3,613 (5.84%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Oxford?

Columbus licensed practical nurses earn $31.46/hr while Oxford hygienists earn $29.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Oxford as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Oxford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $68,545, Oxford = $68,165), job availability (7,270 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Columbus vs Oxford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $54,414 in Columbus and $48,741 in Oxford. The Columbus 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