LPN Salary

Prescott vs Tucson: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Prescott, AZ and Tucson, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Prescott, AZ
$81,797
$39.32/hr
Tucson, AZ
$80,269
$38.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPrescott, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$81,797$80,269
Hourly Rate$39.32$38.59
Entry Level (P10)$67,748$63,304
25th Percentile$77,655$69,170
75th Percentile$96,242$82,277
Top Earner (P90)$104,076$92,868
Total Employed91,150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Prescott ($81,797) and Tucson ($80,269) licensed practical nurse salaries.PrescottTucsonMedian Salary$81,797$80,269Entry Level (P10)$67,748$63,304Top Earner (P90)$104,076$92,868US Median $68,071

Verdict

Prescott, AZ offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tucson.

The salary gap between Prescott and Tucson is $1,528 (1.90%). Prescott's median is +20.16% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Prescott spans $36,328,Tucson spans $29,564. Prescott has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Prescott
P10 (Entry)$67,748
P25$77,655
Median$81,797
P75$96,242
P90 (Top)$104,076
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$63,304
P25$69,170
Median$80,269
P75$82,277
P90 (Top)$92,868

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Prescott ($83,043 effective) pays 0.24% more than Tucson ($82,840 effective).

Prescott
Nominal: $81,797
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $83,043
Tucson
Nominal: $80,269
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $82,840

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Prescott if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,797/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($104,076)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,043)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Larger job market (1,150 employed)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Prescott grew 44.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 49.4% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Prescott, AZ

+44.2%

$53,680 (2019) → $77,386 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+49.4%

$50,820 (2019) → $75,940 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Prescott or Tucson?

Prescott has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $81,797/year, compared to Tucson at $80,269/year — a difference of $1,528 (1.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Prescott and Tucson?

Prescott licensed practical nurses earn $39.32/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $38.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Prescott to Tucson as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Prescott and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Prescott = $83,043, Tucson = $82,840), job availability (9 vs 1,150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Prescott vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $67,748 in Prescott and $63,304 in Tucson. The Prescott 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