LPN Salary

Philadelphia vs York: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Philadelphia, PA and York, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Philadelphia, PA
$74,740
$35.94/hr
York, PA
$67,077
$32.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPhiladelphia, PAYork, PA
Median Salary$74,740$67,077
Hourly Rate$35.94$32.25
Entry Level (P10)$64,075$53,347
25th Percentile$68,007$64,466
75th Percentile$80,649$74,096
Top Earner (P90)$84,232$79,518
Total Employed15,9201,070
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Philadelphia ($74,740) and York ($67,077) licensed practical nurse salaries.PhiladelphiaYorkMedian Salary$74,740$67,077Entry Level (P10)$64,075$53,347Top Earner (P90)$84,232$79,518US Median $68,071

Verdict

Philadelphia, PA offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to York.

The salary gap between Philadelphia and York is $7,663 (11.42%). Philadelphia's median is +9.80% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Philadelphia spans $20,157,York spans $26,171. York has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Philadelphia
P10 (Entry)$64,075
P25$68,007
Median$74,740
P75$80,649
P90 (Top)$84,232
York
P10 (Entry)$53,347
P25$64,466
Median$67,077
P75$74,096
P90 (Top)$79,518

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Philadelphia ($72,879 effective) pays 4.30% more than York ($69,872 effective).

Philadelphia
Nominal: $74,740
CoL Index: 102.554
Adjusted: $72,879
York
Nominal: $67,077
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $69,872

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Philadelphia if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,740/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,232)
  • Larger job market (15,920 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,879)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose York if…

  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Philadelphia grew 24.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 42.9% growth in York over the same period.

Philadelphia, PA

+24.0%

$57,030 (2019) → $70,710 (2025)

York, PA

+42.9%

$44,400 (2019) → $63,460 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Philadelphia or York?

Philadelphia has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $74,740/year, compared to York at $67,077/year — a difference of $7,663 (11.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Philadelphia and York?

Philadelphia licensed practical nurses earn $35.94/hr while York hygienists earn $32.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Philadelphia to York as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Philadelphia and York. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Philadelphia = $72,879, York = $69,872), job availability (15,920 vs 1,070 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Philadelphia vs York?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $64,075 in Philadelphia and $53,347 in York. The Philadelphia 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