Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Youngstown, OH: $51,138 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Youngstown, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $51,138 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Youngstown's local price level (BEA RPP 87.4 — 13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $58,514 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($62,585) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Starting out as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in Youngstown, Ohio, presents a unique blend of opportunities and challenges. New graduates can expect their starting licensed practical nurse salary to be around $51,138 annually, which is noticeably lower than the city median of $62,585. Nevertheless, there is room for growth within the early years of a career, with projections indicating that salaries can rise to approximately $56,835 for those who reach the 25th percentile within the first few years. For individuals just entering the field, Youngstown's job market, with an annual growth rate of 5.70%, suggests a progressively encouraging environment, which can benefit those looking to advance quickly. As local health facilities adapt to the increasing demand for healthcare, new LPNs will find a supportive landscape to launch their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Youngstown
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 Youngstown
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Youngstown, OH typically start between $51,138 and $56,835 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $23,624 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $62,585 — 8.06% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Ohio of $13,000 represents just 25.42% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($51,138/year) in Youngstown. 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 Youngstown
- 1Research the Youngstown market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $51,138 to $56,835, 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 Youngstown, 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 Youngstown for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Youngstown'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 Youngstown is $23,624 ( 46.20%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $51,138, experienced hygienists can earn up to $74,762.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,170
2025 BLS Actual
$48,380
2026 Current Est.
$51,138
2019–2027 Growth
+63.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Youngstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,138 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,053 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Youngstown, OH grew 45.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $33,170 in 2019 to $48,380 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $54,053. New graduates entering the Youngstown job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Youngstown 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 Youngstown
In Youngstown, various employers actively seek to hire new grad licensed practical nurses, creating ample job opportunities. Skilled nursing facilities are among the most promising avenues for recent graduates, offering comprehensive on-the-job orientation that is vital for early-career development. Additionally, home health agencies tend to provide flexible scheduling options that may appeal to those balancing education and work. To enhance starting pay, new LPNs should ensure they hold an active license from the state board of nursing, complete a practical nursing diploma within a 12-18 month timeframe, and successfully pass the NCLEX-PN. Gaining additional certifications—like IV therapy or wound care—can further boost their employability and salary potential. The first three years in this role should be seen as a foundational period, moving toward more advanced opportunities such as LPN-to-RN bridge programs and specialized positions, thus creating realistic expectations for salary growth in the local market.
More salary data for Youngstown, OH:
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 Youngstown. 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