LPN Salary

Quincy vs Worcester: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Quincy, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Quincy, MA
$82,602
$39.71/hr
Worcester, MA
$83,566
$40.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricQuincy, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$82,602$83,566
Hourly Rate$39.71$40.18
Entry Level (P10)$63,787$67,151
25th Percentile$75,256$78,028
75th Percentile$100,248$86,621
Top Earner (P90)$111,503$102,730
Total Employed152,030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Quincy ($82,602) and Worcester ($83,566) licensed practical nurse salaries.QuincyWorcesterMedian Salary$82,602$83,566Entry Level (P10)$63,787$67,151Top Earner (P90)$111,503$102,730US Median $68,071

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Quincy.

The salary gap between Quincy and Worcester is $964 (1.17%). Worcester's median is +22.76% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Quincy spans $47,716,Worcester spans $35,579. Quincy has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Quincy
P10 (Entry)$63,787
P25$75,256
Median$82,602
P75$100,248
P90 (Top)$111,503
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$67,151
P25$78,028
Median$83,566
P75$86,621
P90 (Top)$102,730

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($81,510 effective) pays 7.06% more than Quincy ($76,131 effective).

Quincy
Nominal: $82,602
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $76,131
Worcester
Nominal: $83,566
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $81,510

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Quincy if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($111,503)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,566/year)
  • Larger job market (2,030 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,510)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Quincy grew -0.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 40.0% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Quincy, MA

+-0.5%

$78,580 (2024) → $78,148 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+40.0%

$56,490 (2019) → $79,060 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Quincy or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $83,566/year, compared to Quincy at $82,602/year — a difference of $964 (1.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Quincy and Worcester?

Quincy licensed practical nurses earn $39.71/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $40.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Quincy to Worcester as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Quincy and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Quincy = $76,131, Worcester = $81,510), job availability (15 vs 2,030 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Quincy vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $63,787 in Quincy and $67,151 in Worcester. The Worcester 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