LPN Salary

Franklin vs Trenton: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

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

Franklin, NJ
$79,500
$38.22/hr
Trenton, NJ
$79,677
$38.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFranklin, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$79,500$79,677
Hourly Rate$38.22$38.31
Entry Level (P10)$61,570$66,422
25th Percentile$72,364$72,140
75th Percentile$93,128$84,380
Top Earner (P90)$100,798$85,501
Total Employed15880
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Franklin ($79,500) and Trenton ($79,677) licensed practical nurse salaries.FranklinTrentonMedian Salary$79,500$79,677Entry Level (P10)$61,570$66,422Top Earner (P90)$100,798$85,501US Median $68,071

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Franklin and Trenton is $177 (0.22%). 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 Franklin spans $39,228,Trenton spans $19,079. Franklin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Franklin
P10 (Entry)$61,570
P25$72,364
Median$79,500
P75$93,128
P90 (Top)$100,798
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 11.90% more than Franklin ($69,010 effective).

Franklin
Nominal: $79,500
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $69,010
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 Franklin if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($100,798)
  • 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 Franklin grew -0.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.3% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Franklin, NJ

+-0.9%

$75,913 (2024) → $75,213 (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: Franklin or Trenton?

Trenton has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $79,677/year, compared to Franklin at $79,500/year — a difference of $177 (0.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Franklin and Trenton?

Franklin licensed practical nurses earn $38.22/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $38.31/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Franklin and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Franklin = $69,010, Trenton = $77,221), job availability (15 vs 880 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $61,570 in Franklin 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