Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Palm Bay, FL: $31.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Palm Bay, FL runs $31.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,477 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Palm Bay's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.0, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,690 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Palm Bay, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay stands at $31.00, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $32.73. This rate reflects the diverse opportunities available for LPNs across various healthcare settings like skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and private physician offices. For part-time workers, such as those opting to work three days a week, this hourly rate offers a competitive compensation structure while allowing for flexible work-life balance. The range of hourly wages for LPNs in Palm Bay spans from $25.45 for entry-level positions to approximately $37.04 for seasoned professionals, indicating a healthy growth potential within the field. These figures are derived from official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, ensuring that they represent current and relevant earnings expectations for this vital healthcare role.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.45 | $203.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.61 | $236.85 |
| Median (P50) | $31.00 | $248.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.04 | $256.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.04 | $296.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Palm Bay
Based on $31.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.00/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Palm Bay, FL can expect to earn approximately $64,484 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,202. With a cost-of-living index of 100.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Palm Bay.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Palm Bay
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,240.07 | $5,374 | $64,484 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $744.04 | $3,224 | $38,690 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $496.03 | $2,149 | $25,794 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Palm Bay) | $31.00 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Palm Bay, FL earn a median of $64,477 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.28% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.40% above the Florida state average of $64,220.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.00/hr = $38,690/year (purchasing power: $38,688).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,484/year (purchasing power: $64,481).
CoL index: 100.005 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+54.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Palm Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Palm Bay grew 38.2% from $21.22/hr (2019) to $29.33/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.77/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palm Bay 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.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Palm Bay
Part-time licensed practical nurses working in Palm Bay typically take home a stable income, with an annual net of about $48,192 working just 24 hours a week. However, this is a stark contrast to the earnings potential for those pursuing per diem or agency opportunities, where pay ranges from $28 to $42 per hour, with healthcare facilities sometimes offering even higher rates due to critical staffing needs, reaching up to $60 per hour. This variability in compensation can be pivotal for LPNs, who weigh the benefits of consistent employment against the higher pay often seen in per diem work. Rates can also differ widely based on employer types—skilled nursing facilities might offer lower costs due to structured pay scales, but places such as hospitals or travel contracts can present opportunities for improved earnings. Understanding these dynamics is crucial when negotiating wages in Palm Bay, especially for LPNs seeking better pay while contemplating the trade-offs between hourly compensation and benefits like health insurance.
More salary data for Palm Bay, FL:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Palm Bay. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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