Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Brandon, MS: $44,933 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Brandon, MS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $44,933 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Brandon's local price level (BEA RPP 85.7 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $52,431 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($55,597) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the licensed practical nursing (LPN) field in Brandon, Mississippi, can expect a starting salary around $44,933 in 2026. This initial pay may feel modest when compared to the median annual salary of $55,597 for LPNs in the city, leaving a gap of roughly $10,664. However, aspiring LPNs can anticipate steady growth in earnings as they gain experience; in their first few years, many can expect salaries rising from the entry-level mark to about $51,958 by the 25th percentile. With the projected annual growth rate of 5.70%, Brandon seems to be a reasonably attractive market for new graduates, offering opportunities to progress toward higher earnings relatively quickly.
About the Brandon Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Brandon
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 Brandon
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Brandon, MS typically start between $44,933 and $51,958 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $26,463 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $55,597 — 18.32% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Mississippi of $7,000 represents just 15.58% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($44,933/year) in Brandon. 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 Brandon
- 1Research the Brandon market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $44,933 to $51,958, 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 MS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Brandon, 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 Brandon for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Brandon's below-average 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 Brandon is $26,463 ( 58.89%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $44,933, experienced hygienists can earn up to $71,396.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,537
2025 BLS Actual
$42,510
2026 Current Est.
$44,933
2019–2027 Growth
+60.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Brandon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,537 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,605 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,032 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,247 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,933 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,494 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Brandon, MS grew 43.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,537 in 2019 to $42,510 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $47,494. New graduates entering the Brandon job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brandon 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 Brandon
Within the Brandon area, several key employers typically hire new graduate licensed practical nurses. Skilled nursing facilities are prominent, providing structured on-the-job orientation for fresh graduates, while home health agencies often entice new LPNs with flexible scheduling options. However, candidates aiming for positions in physician offices may find that relevant experience or specific clinic knowledge makes them more competitive. To boost starting licensed practical nurse pay in MS, it's essential to hold an active LPN/LVN license from the state board of nursing and have completed a recognized practical nursing diploma program. Passing the NCLEX-PN is crucial as well. Those who expand their qualifications by obtaining additional certifications in IV therapy or wound care can further enhance their earning potential. For recent graduates planning their career path, focusing on the long-term care sector—where about 35% of LPNs are employed nationally—and considering LPN-to-RN bridge programs could provide meaningful advancement within the first few years, along with realistic salary increases as they gain both skills and experience in the field.
More salary data for Brandon, MS:
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 Brandon. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brandon 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