Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Springfield, OH: $52,913 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Springfield, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $52,913 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Springfield's local price level (BEA RPP 90.5 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $58,479 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($64,847) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For those entering the workforce as licensed practical nurses in Springfield, the starting licensed practical nurse salary in Springfield is projected to begin at around $52,913 in 2026. This entry-level figure falls significantly below the city’s median annual salary of $64,847, illustrating a noticeable gap that new graduates can expect to navigate as they start their careers. However, prospective LPNs should remember that the pay growth trajectory in the first few years is promising, with potential increases as new professionals move from entry-level remuneration to salaries around $59,044 (P25) toward the median over a span of three to five years. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.70% in this field, Springfield appears to be a viable market for new graduates looking to establish themselves in practical nursing.
Career Earnings Timeline in Springfield
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 Springfield
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Springfield, OH typically start between $52,913 and $59,044 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $22,800 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $64,847 — 4.74% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Ohio of $13,000 represents just 24.57% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($52,913/year) in Springfield. 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 Springfield
- 1Research the Springfield market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $52,913 to $59,044, 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 OH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Springfield, 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 Springfield for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Springfield'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 Springfield is $22,800 ( 43.09%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $52,913, experienced hygienists can earn up to $75,713.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$34,660
2025 BLS Actual
$50,060
2026 Current Est.
$52,913
2019–2027 Growth
+61.4%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,913 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,929 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Springfield, OH grew 44.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $34,660 in 2019 to $50,060 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $55,929. New graduates entering the Springfield job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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 Springfield
When it comes to employment opportunities in Springfield, various healthcare facilities actively recruit new graduates, with skilled nursing facilities being the most prominent employers for freshly minted LPNs. These establishments often provide comprehensive on-the-job orientation, which is ideal for new professionals. Additionally, home health agencies offer flexible scheduling options, making them appealing to those seeking work-life balance. To enhance starting pay, aspiring LPNs should focus on obtaining essential credentials—a valid LPN/LVN license in Ohio, a practical nursing diploma from an accredited program, and passing the NCLEX-PN. Furthermore, acquiring optional certifications in areas like IV therapy or wound care can give candidates an edge in securing positions. As new licensed practical nurses embark on their first 1-3 years of practice, it’s crucial to consider the specifics of the job market in Springfield, where long-term care facilities account for a significant portion of employment opportunities, even as hospitals increasingly lean towards hiring only RNs. This context highlights the importance of exploring LPN-to-RN bridge programs for those looking to advance their careers systematically.
More salary data for Springfield, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for licensed practical nurses in Springfield in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Springfield. 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