Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Shrewsbury, MA: $65,065 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Shrewsbury, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $65,065 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Shrewsbury's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $59,968 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($79,596) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduating as a licensed practical nurse in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, provides new LPNs with a starting salary of approximately $65,065 in 2026. While this figure represents the lower end of the salary spectrum, it’s worth noting that it is still below the city's median annual salary of $79,596, indicating that entry-level pay can be a few thousand dollars less than the overall average for all LPNs in the area. However, ambitious new graduates can expect growth in their earnings as they transition into their careers, with many seeing increases as they progress through years of experience, particularly as they reach the P25 salary level of $74,681 within a few years. Given the projected growth rate of 5.70% annually for this profession, Shrewsbury currently presents a favorable market for those entering the nursing field, offering solid initial pay and opportunities for advancement.
About the Shrewsbury Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($73,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Shrewsbury
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 Shrewsbury
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Shrewsbury, MA typically start between $65,065 and $74,681 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $37,620 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $79,596 — 16.93% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Massachusetts of $22,000 represents just 33.81% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($65,065/year) in Shrewsbury. 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 Shrewsbury
- 1Research the Shrewsbury market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $65,065 to $74,681, 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 Shrewsbury, 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 Shrewsbury for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Shrewsbury'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 Shrewsbury is $37,620 ( 57.82%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $65,065, experienced hygienists can earn up to $102,685.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,770
2025 BLS Actual
$61,556
2026 Current Est.
$65,065
2019–2027 Growth
+60.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Shrewsbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,975 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,109 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,519 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,658 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,556 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,065 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,773 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Shrewsbury, MA grew 43.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $42,770 in 2019 to $61,556 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,773. New graduates entering the Shrewsbury job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shrewsbury 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 Shrewsbury
Employers in Shrewsbury that typically hire new graduates include skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies, where many LPN positions offer structured on-the-job training and flexible schedules. Physician offices, on the other hand, may prefer candidates who possess specific clinic experience. To maximize starting pay in Massachusetts, new graduates should ensure they hold an active LPN/LVN license issued by the state board of nursing, complete a practical nursing diploma from an accredited program, and successfully pass the NCLEX-PN exam. Candidates can further enhance their marketability by obtaining additional certifications in IV therapy or wound care. Many LPNs begin their careers in long-term care, as approximately 35% of LPNs nationally work in this sector; with the industry shifting towards more RN staffing in hospitals, exploring LPN-to-RN bridge programs can significantly improve future job prospects. Within the first three years in Shrewsbury, new LPNs can expect to see a steady trajectory in their earnings as they build experience and develop their clinical skills.
More salary data for Shrewsbury, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Shrewsbury. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Shrewsbury 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