LPN Salary

Miami vs Panama City: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Miami, FL and Panama City, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Miami, FL
$66,179
$31.82/hr
Panama City, FL
$59,319
$28.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiami, FLPanama City, FL
Median Salary$66,179$59,319
Hourly Rate$31.82$28.52
Entry Level (P10)$55,038$51,201
25th Percentile$63,018$54,066
75th Percentile$69,857$63,959
Top Earner (P90)$79,106$70,840
Total Employed8,900400
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Miami ($66,179) and Panama City ($59,319) licensed practical nurse salaries.MiamiPanama CityMedian Salary$66,179$59,319Entry Level (P10)$55,038$51,201Top Earner (P90)$79,106$70,840US Median $68,071

Verdict

Miami, FL offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Panama City.

The salary gap between Miami and Panama City is $6,860 (11.56%). Miami's median is -2.78% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Miami spans $24,068,Panama City spans $19,639. Miami has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Miami
P10 (Entry)$55,038
P25$63,018
Median$66,179
P75$69,857
P90 (Top)$79,106
Panama City
P10 (Entry)$51,201
P25$54,066
Median$59,319
P75$63,959
P90 (Top)$70,840

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Panama City ($60,968 effective) pays 5.17% more than Miami ($57,973 effective).

Miami
Nominal: $66,179
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $57,973
Panama City
Nominal: $59,319
CoL Index: 97.296
Adjusted: $60,968

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Miami if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,179/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,106)
  • Larger job market (8,900 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Panama City if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,968)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Miami grew 31.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 48.2% growth in Panama City over the same period.

Miami, FL

+31.5%

$47,600 (2019) → $62,610 (2025)

Panama City, FL

+48.2%

$37,860 (2019) → $56,120 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Miami or Panama City?

Miami has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $66,179/year, compared to Panama City at $59,319/year — a difference of $6,860 (11.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Miami and Panama City?

Miami licensed practical nurses earn $31.82/hr while Panama City hygienists earn $28.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Miami to Panama City as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Miami and Panama City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Miami = $57,973, Panama City = $60,968), job availability (8,900 vs 400 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Miami vs Panama City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $55,038 in Miami and $51,201 in Panama City. The Miami 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