LPN Salary

Liberty vs St. Louis: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Liberty, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Liberty, MO
$63,577
$30.57/hr
St. Louis, MO
$68,832
$33.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLiberty, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$63,577$68,832
Hourly Rate$30.57$33.09
Entry Level (P10)$49,646$59,837
25th Percentile$58,133$64,488
75th Percentile$72,648$80,512
Top Earner (P90)$77,352$84,127
Total Employed55,180
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Liberty ($63,577) and St. Louis ($68,832) licensed practical nurse salaries.LibertySt. LouisMedian Salary$63,577$68,832Entry Level (P10)$49,646$59,837Top Earner (P90)$77,352$84,127US Median $68,071

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Liberty.

The salary gap between Liberty and St. Louis is $5,255 (8.27%). St. Louis's median is +1.12% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Liberty spans $27,706,St. Louis spans $24,290. Liberty has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Liberty
P10 (Entry)$49,646
P25$58,133
Median$63,577
P75$72,648
P90 (Top)$77,352
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$59,837
P25$64,488
Median$68,832
P75$80,512
P90 (Top)$84,127

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($72,388 effective) pays 2.02% more than Liberty ($70,956 effective).

Liberty
Nominal: $63,577
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $70,956
St. Louis
Nominal: $68,832
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $72,388

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Liberty if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,832/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,127)
  • Larger job market (5,180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,388)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Liberty grew 31.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.8% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Liberty, MO

+31.0%

$45,916 (2024) → $60,149 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+39.8%

$46,590 (2019) → $65,120 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Liberty or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $68,832/year, compared to Liberty at $63,577/year — a difference of $5,255 (8.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Liberty and St. Louis?

Liberty licensed practical nurses earn $30.57/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $33.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Liberty to St. Louis as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Liberty and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Liberty = $70,956, St. Louis = $72,388), job availability (5 vs 5,180 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Liberty vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $49,646 in Liberty and $59,837 in St. Louis. The St. Louis 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