Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Billings, MT: $41,836 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Billings, MT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $41,836 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Billings's local price level (BEA RPP 93.5 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $44,732 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($63,948) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For those considering a career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in Billings, Montana, the 2026 projected starting licensed practical nurse salary is anticipated to be around $41,836. This entry-level figure falls short of the city’s overall median of $63,948, indicating a significant gap that early-career LPNs can work to close. New graduates can expect to see salary increases over the first few years, potentially moving from entry-level pay to the 25th percentile at $52,036, while also setting their sights on the median as they gain experience. Billings appears to offer a relatively favorable market for new nursing graduates, with a growth trajectory at 5.70% annually that suggests promising opportunities as the healthcare sector continues to evolve.
Career Earnings Timeline in Billings
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 Billings
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Billings, MT typically start between $41,836 and $52,036 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $34,966 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $63,948 — 6.06% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Montana of $11,000 represents just 26.29% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($41,836/year) in Billings. 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 Billings
- 1Research the Billings market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $41,836 to $52,036, 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 MT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Billings, 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 Billings for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Billings'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 Billings is $34,966 ( 83.58%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $41,836, experienced hygienists can earn up to $76,802.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,770
2025 BLS Actual
$39,580
2026 Current Est.
$41,836
2019–2027 Growth
+39.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,836 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,221 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Billings, MT grew 24.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $31,770 in 2019 to $39,580 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $44,221. New graduates entering the Billings job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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 Billings
In Billings, several key employers actively recruit new grad licensed practical nurses. Skilled nursing facilities typically provide the most opportunities, often coupled with on-the-job orientation tailored for fresh graduates, making their environment conducive for those just starting out. Home health agencies may offer more flexible scheduling, which can be appealing for new nurses balancing work and personal life. Physician offices often prefer candidates with specific clinical experiences, emphasizing the importance of networking and gaining relevant practice during educational training. To enhance their starting pay, recent graduates should focus on securing active LPN/LVN licensure, completing a 12- to 18-month practical nursing diploma from an accredited program, and passing the NCLEX-PN. Additionally, obtaining certifications in IV therapy or wound care can open doors to higher-paying positions. Within the first few years, LPNs can strategically navigate their career by considering LPN-to-RN bridge programs, especially since many long-term care facilities employ around 35% of LPNs nationally, while hospitals trend towards all-RN staffing models. This strategic career planning can help enhance salary growth and job satisfaction in the evolving healthcare landscape of Montana.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
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 Billings. 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