LPN Salary

Richfield vs St. Cloud: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Richfield, MN and St. Cloud, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Richfield, MN
$64,905
$31.20/hr
St. Cloud, MN
$65,428
$31.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRichfield, MNSt. Cloud, MN
Median Salary$64,905$65,428
Hourly Rate$31.20$31.46
Entry Level (P10)$53,577$52,406
25th Percentile$61,486$53,431
75th Percentile$73,802$70,132
Top Earner (P90)$82,372$85,501
Total Employed9930
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Richfield ($64,905) and St. Cloud ($65,428) licensed practical nurse salaries.RichfieldSt. CloudMedian Salary$64,905$65,428Entry Level (P10)$53,577$52,406Top Earner (P90)$82,372$85,501US Median $68,071

Verdict

St. Cloud, MN offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Richfield.

The salary gap between Richfield and St. Cloud is $523 (0.81%). St. Cloud's median is -3.88% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Richfield spans $28,795,St. Cloud spans $33,095. St. Cloud has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Richfield
P10 (Entry)$53,577
P25$61,486
Median$64,905
P75$73,802
P90 (Top)$82,372
St. Cloud
P10 (Entry)$52,406
P25$53,431
Median$65,428
P75$70,132
P90 (Top)$85,501

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Cloud ($74,662 effective) pays 13.31% more than Richfield ($65,893 effective).

Richfield
Nominal: $64,905
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $65,893
St. Cloud
Nominal: $65,428
CoL Index: 87.632
Adjusted: $74,662

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Richfield if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Cloud if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,428/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($85,501)
  • Larger job market (930 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,662)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Richfield grew 9.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.3% growth in St. Cloud over the same period.

Richfield, MN

+9.7%

$55,977 (2024) → $61,405 (2025)

St. Cloud, MN

+32.3%

$46,790 (2019) → $61,900 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Richfield or St. Cloud?

St. Cloud has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $65,428/year, compared to Richfield at $64,905/year — a difference of $523 (0.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Richfield and St. Cloud?

Richfield licensed practical nurses earn $31.20/hr while St. Cloud hygienists earn $31.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Richfield to St. Cloud as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Richfield and St. Cloud. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Richfield = $65,893, St. Cloud = $74,662), job availability (9 vs 930 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Richfield vs St. Cloud?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $53,577 in Richfield and $52,406 in St. Cloud. The Richfield 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