Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Syracuse, NY: $52,945 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Syracuse, NY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $52,945 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Syracuse's local price level (BEA RPP 95.7 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $55,300 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($66,464) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Syracuse presents a reasonable environment for new graduates entering the nursing field, particularly for those pursuing a career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). In 2026, the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Syracuse is projected to start at around $52,945, setting realistic expectations for new grads. This figure represents a noticeable gap from the median salary of $66,464, suggesting that those early in their careers can anticipate substantial economic growth over the first few years as they gain experience and move toward the P25 earnings of $59,107. With the local job market projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.70%, Syracuse remains a favorable area for new LPNs as they establish their professional paths.
Career Earnings Timeline in Syracuse
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 Syracuse
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Syracuse, NY typically start between $52,945 and $59,107 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $25,114 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $66,464 — 2.36% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in New York of $22,000 represents just 41.55% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($52,945/year) in Syracuse. 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 Syracuse
- 1Research the Syracuse market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $52,945 to $59,107, 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 NY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Syracuse, 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 Syracuse for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Syracuse'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 Syracuse is $25,114 ( 47.43%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $52,945, experienced hygienists can earn up to $78,059.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$34,090
2025 BLS Actual
$50,090
2026 Current Est.
$52,945
2019–2027 Growth
+64.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Syracuse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,945 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,963 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Syracuse, NY grew 46.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $34,090 in 2019 to $50,090 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $55,963. New graduates entering the Syracuse job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Syracuse 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 Syracuse
Within Syracuse, various employers are actively seeking newly licensed practical nurses, with strong hiring trends noted in skilled nursing facilities which often provide on-the-job orientation tailored for new graduates. Flexible scheduling opportunities are available through home health agencies, while physician offices tend to prefer candidates with specific clinic experience. To enhance starting pay as an entry-level licensed practical nurse in Syracuse, obtaining an active LPN license, completing a practical nursing diploma, and passing the NCLEX-PN are vital steps. Optional certifications in IV therapy or wound care can further boost initial salary prospects. Additionally, the first three years in this profession often influence long-term career strategies, especially considering that many LPNs transition into bridge programs to obtain RN credentials, broadening their scope of practice while navigating a healthcare landscape that increasingly favors registered nurses.
More salary data for Syracuse, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for licensed practical nurses in Syracuse in 2026?
How fast do licensed practical nurse salaries grow in Syracuse?
Is nursing school worth it in Syracuse?
What do new licensed practical nurses make right out of school in Syracuse?
How do I become a licensed practical nurse in New York?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New York
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 Syracuse. 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