Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Plymouth, MA: $63,979 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Plymouth, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $63,979 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Plymouth's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $58,967 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($83,829) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Plymouth, Massachusetts, new graduates entering the workforce as licensed practical nurses can expect starting salaries around $63,979. This figure represents the lower tenth percentile (P10) of salaries for the profession in 2026, and there remains a significant gap between entry-level pay and the city’s median annual salary of $83,829. Over the course of the first few years, entry-level nurses can anticipate growth trajectory progression toward the 25th percentile at $75,597 and possibly achieve the median salary within three to five years. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.70%, Plymouth stands out as a favorable market for early-career LPNs, especially as demand for nursing services continues to rise in various healthcare settings.
About the Plymouth Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($73,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Plymouth
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 Plymouth
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Plymouth, MA typically start between $63,979 and $75,597 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $44,399 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $83,829 — 23.15% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Massachusetts of $22,000 represents just 34.39% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($63,979/year) in Plymouth. 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 Plymouth
- 1Research the Plymouth market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $63,979 to $75,597, 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 MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Plymouth, 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 Plymouth for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Plymouth'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 Plymouth is $44,399 ( 69.40%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $63,979, experienced hygienists can earn up to $108,378.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,056
2025 BLS Actual
$60,529
2026 Current Est.
$63,979
2019–2027 Growth
+60.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Plymouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,056 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,285 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,208 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,576 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,621 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,529 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,979 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,626 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Plymouth, MA grew 43.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $42,056 in 2019 to $60,529 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $67,626. New graduates entering the Plymouth job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plymouth 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 Plymouth
Employers in Plymouth hiring new LPN graduates typically include skilled nursing facilities, which provide essential on-the-job orientation for entry-level hires. Home health agencies are popular among recent graduates as they often offer flexible scheduling, while physician offices may prefer candidates with specific clinic experience. To maximize starting pay, obtaining credentials such as an active LPN license from the state board of nursing, completing a 12- to 18-month practical nursing diploma from an accredited program, and passing the NCLEX-PN are essential. Additionally, pursuing certifications in IV therapy or wound care can enhance job prospects early in one’s career. Understanding the varied scope of practice for LPNs is critical; as hospitals increasingly favor RN staffing models, many nurses may find themselves pursuing LPN-to-RN bridge programs, making career growth a realistic expectation within the first few years in this profession in Plymouth, MA.
More salary data for Plymouth, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for licensed practical nurses in Plymouth in 2026?
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Is nursing school worth it in Plymouth?
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Related Pages
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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 Plymouth. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Plymouth is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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