LPN Salary

Edison vs Trenton: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

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

Edison, NJ
$77,373
$37.20/hr
Trenton, NJ
$79,677
$38.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEdison, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$77,373$79,677
Hourly Rate$37.20$38.31
Entry Level (P10)$59,098$66,422
25th Percentile$70,000$72,140
75th Percentile$93,519$84,380
Top Earner (P90)$103,397$85,501
Total Employed20880
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Edison ($77,373) and Trenton ($79,677) licensed practical nurse salaries.EdisonTrentonMedian Salary$77,373$79,677Entry Level (P10)$59,098$66,422Top Earner (P90)$103,397$85,501US Median $68,071

Verdict

Trenton, NJ offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Edison.

The salary gap between Edison and Trenton is $2,304 (2.98%). Trenton's median is +17.05% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Edison spans $44,299,Trenton spans $19,079. Edison has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Edison
P10 (Entry)$59,098
P25$70,000
Median$77,373
P75$93,519
P90 (Top)$103,397
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$66,422
P25$72,140
Median$79,677
P75$84,380
P90 (Top)$85,501

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Trenton ($77,221 effective) pays 14.97% more than Edison ($67,164 effective).

Edison
Nominal: $77,373
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $67,164
Trenton
Nominal: $79,677
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $77,221

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Edison if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($103,397)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,677/year)
  • Larger job market (880 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,221)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Edison grew -0.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.3% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Edison, NJ

+-0.9%

$73,883 (2024) → $73,201 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+30.3%

$57,850 (2019) → $75,380 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Edison or Trenton?

Trenton has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $79,677/year, compared to Edison at $77,373/year — a difference of $2,304 (2.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Edison and Trenton?

Edison licensed practical nurses earn $37.20/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $38.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Edison to Trenton as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Edison and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Edison = $67,164, Trenton = $77,221), job availability (20 vs 880 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Edison vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $59,098 in Edison and $66,422 in Trenton. The Trenton 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