Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Franklin, NJ: $61,570 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Franklin, NJ job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $61,570 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Franklin's local price level (BEA RPP 115.2 — 15% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $53,446 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($79,500) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the licensed practical nurse (LPN) field in Franklin, New Jersey can expect to see entry-level salaries that begin at around $61,570. This figure represents the starting point for new LPNs, indicating a significant gap from the median annual salary of $79,500 for the region. As they gain experience, fresh LPNs have the opportunity to achieve growth in their pay, with realistic expectations moving towards the $72,364 mark within a few years. This trajectory suggests that Franklin may be a favorable market for recent nursing graduates, especially considering the projected 5.70% growth in demand for LPNs in the coming years.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Franklin
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 Franklin
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Franklin, NJ typically start between $61,570 and $72,364 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $39,228 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $79,500 — 16.79% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in New Jersey of $18,000 represents just 29.24% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($61,570/year) in Franklin. 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 Franklin
- 1Research the Franklin market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $61,570 to $72,364, 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 NJ often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Franklin, 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 Franklin for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Franklin's above-average cost of living (index: 115.2) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Licensed Practical Nurse Compensation Range
The licensed practical nurse wage spread in Franklin is $39,228 ( 63.71%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $61,570, experienced hygienists can earn up to $100,798.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$40,473
2025 BLS Actual
$58,250
2026 Current Est.
$61,570
2019–2027 Growth
+60.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,473 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,656 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,506 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,417 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,484 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,562 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,570 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,080 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Franklin, NJ grew 43.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $40,473 in 2019 to $58,250 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $65,080. New graduates entering the Franklin job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Franklin 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 Franklin
Employers in Franklin tend to favor new graduates from practical nursing programs, particularly within skilled nursing facilities where extensive on-the-job training is often provided. Home health agencies can be appealing for entry-level LPNs since they offer flexible scheduling options. On the other hand, physician offices generally seek candidates with prior clinical experience, which could pose a challenge for recent graduates. To enhance their starting salaries in NJ, new LPNs should focus on obtaining their active LPN/LVN licenses, completing an accredited practical nursing diploma, and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. Some may also benefit from additional certifications like IV therapy or wound care. In their first few years, LPNs in Franklin can expect gradual salary increases as they build experience, especially if they consider advancing their careers through LPN-to-RN bridge programs, given the growing trend of hospitals implementing all-RN staffing models.
More salary data for Franklin, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for licensed practical nurses in Franklin in 2026?
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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 Franklin. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Franklin 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