Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Coeur d'Alene, ID: $54,383 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Coeur d'Alene, ID job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $54,383 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Coeur d'Alene's local price level (BEA RPP 98.3 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $55,327 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($69,910) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For those entering the workforce as licensed practical nurses in Coeur d'Alene, the starting salary is projected to be around $54,383 in 2026. This entry-level pay represents the lower tier of a wider salary range, significantly below the city's median annual salary of $69,910. New graduates can realistically expect a growth trajectory starting from this amount and potentially reaching the $67,225 mark within their first few years. Considering the local market conditions, Coeur d'Alene is a favorable location for new LPNs, as it shows a promising growth rate of 5.70% in the field, reflecting a healthy demand for nursing professionals over the next five years.
Career Earnings Timeline in Coeur d'Alene
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Coeur d'Alene
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Coeur d'Alene, ID typically start between $54,383 and $67,225 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $31,340 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $69,910 — 2.7% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Idaho of $10,000 represents just 18.39% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($54,383/year) in Coeur d'Alene. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state board of nursing-approved practical nursing programs and ACEN-accredited certificate pathways. Tuition varies by community college, technical school, or hospital-based program setting.
LPN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Coeur d'Alene
- 1Research the Coeur d'Alene market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $54,383 to $67,225, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in ID often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Coeur d'Alene, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Coeur d'Alene for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Coeur d'Alene's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Licensed Practical Nurse Compensation Range
The licensed practical nurse wage spread in Coeur d'Alene is $31,340 ( 57.63%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $54,383, experienced hygienists can earn up to $85,723.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,950
2025 BLS Actual
$51,450
2026 Current Est.
$54,383
2019–2027 Growth
+74.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Coeur d'Alene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,383 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,482 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Coeur d'Alene, ID grew 56.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $32,950 in 2019 to $51,450 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $57,482. New graduates entering the Coeur d'Alene job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coeur d'Alene metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Coeur d'Alene
Employers in Coeur d'Alene actively seek to hire new grad licensed practical nurses, particularly in skilled nursing facilities that offer comprehensive on-the-job training. Home health agencies can provide the flexibility many new nurses appreciate, allowing for a better work-life balance. In addition, clinics and physician offices may favor candidates with prior experience, which can sometimes be acquired through internships or externships during nursing programs. To enhance their entry-level pay, new LPNs in Idaho should prioritize obtaining an active LPN/LVN license, completing a practical nursing diploma from an accredited program, and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. Gaining certifications in IV therapy or wound care can also yield higher starting salaries. For the first three years, LPNs can expect reasonable salary growth as they navigate the job market, leading to abundant opportunities within long-term care settings, which employ about 35% of LPNs nationally, as more facilities focus on bridging LPNs to RN roles through established programs.
More salary data for Coeur d'Alene, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for licensed practical nurses in Coeur d'Alene in 2026?
How fast do licensed practical nurse salaries grow in Coeur d'Alene?
Is nursing school worth it in Coeur d'Alene?
What do new licensed practical nurses make right out of school in Coeur d'Alene?
How do I become a licensed practical nurse in Idaho?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Coeur d'Alene. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov