Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Vineland, NJ: $61,391 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Vineland, NJ job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $61,391 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Vineland's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $63,970 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($75,480) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Starting in Vineland, New Jersey, new graduates entering the field of practical nursing can expect an entry-level licensed practical nurse salary of approximately $61,391. This initial pay is lower than the city's median annual salary of $75,480, highlighting a significant gap that entry-level LPNs should account for as they begin their careers. The growth potential within the profession is promising, as early-career nurses can expect to see salary increases moving toward the first quartile of $67,542 within a few years. This trajectory positions Vineland as a viable market for incoming LPNs, especially considering the region's current demand for healthcare professionals amid ongoing industry growth.
Career Earnings Timeline in Vineland
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 Vineland
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Vineland, NJ typically start between $61,391 and $67,542 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $17,789 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $75,480 — 10.88% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in New Jersey of $18,000 represents just 29.32% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($61,391/year) in Vineland. 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 Vineland
- 1Research the Vineland market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $61,391 to $67,542, 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 Vineland, 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 Vineland for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Vineland'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 Vineland is $17,789 ( 28.98%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $61,391, experienced hygienists can earn up to $79,180.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$40,790
2025 BLS Actual
$58,080
2026 Current Est.
$61,391
2019–2027 Growth
+59.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Vineland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,391 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,890 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Vineland, NJ grew 42.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $40,790 in 2019 to $58,080 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $64,890. New graduates entering the Vineland job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vineland 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 Vineland
In Vineland, new graduates will find several employers actively hiring entry-level licensed practical nurses, with skilled nursing facilities leading the way by providing comprehensive on-the-job orientation. Home health agencies frequently offer flexibility that can be appealing to those seeking work-life balance, while physician offices often look for candidates who possess specific clinical experience. To improve their prospects further, new LPNs should ensure they have completed an approved 12-18 month practical nursing diploma and passed the NCLEX-PN. Considering the unique dynamics of the LPN profession in New Jersey, where scope of practice can vary greatly by state, opportunities exist for career advancement through LPN-to-RN bridge programs, especially as hospitals increasingly hire RNs. Over the first few years, new graduates can realistically anticipate incremental salary growth as they gain experience and specialized skills, enhancing their professional value in an evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Vineland, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for licensed practical nurses in Vineland in 2026?
How fast do licensed practical nurse salaries grow in Vineland?
Is nursing school worth it in Vineland?
What do new licensed practical nurses make right out of school in Vineland?
How do I become a licensed practical nurse in New Jersey?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 Vineland. 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