Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Tampa, FL: $31.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Tampa, FL runs $31.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,052 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Tampa's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,627 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Tampa's licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected at $31.75 in 2026, slightly lower than the national hourly median of $32.73. This wage reflects the earnings of LPNs working in a variety of settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home health services, and physician offices. For part-time and per-diem workers, such as those committing to three days a week, this translates to a stable income while allowing for flexible scheduling. Entry-level positions start at about $25.78 per hour, while experienced practitioners can earn as much as $37.97 per hour. Official data from 2025, projected to 2026, suggests that the Tampa market remains competitive, providing LPNs with opportunities that can align with individual needs whether they choose full-time, part-time, or per-diem roles.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.78 | $206.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.15 | $241.17 |
| Median (P50) | $31.75 | $254.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.81 | $262.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.97 | $303.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tampa
Based on $31.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.75/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tampa, FL can expect to earn approximately $66,045 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,103. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tampa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tampa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,270.09 | $5,504 | $66,045 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $762.05 | $3,302 | $39,627 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $508.04 | $2,201 | $26,418 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Tampa) | $31.75 |
| 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 Tampa, FL earn a median of $66,052 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.97% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.80% above the Florida state average of $64,253.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.75/hr = $39,627/year (purchasing power: $39,277).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,045/year (purchasing power: $65,462).
CoL index: 100.89 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Tampa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Tampa grew 37.5% from $21.85/hr (2019) to $30.04/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.56/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 Tampa 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 Tampa
In Tampa, the potential earnings for licensed practical nurses can vary widely depending on work arrangements. A typical three-day-a-week schedule yields around 24 hours of work, resulting in an annual income around $39,540. Many LPNs opt for per-diem positions that provide greater flexibility; prevailing rates are between $28 and $42 per hour, depending on the facility's needs. Additionally, agency LPNs in high-demand environments might see hourly wages peak at $60. Variation in earnings exists across employment types, with skilled nursing facilities generally offering lower rates compared to home health agencies or hospitals. Some nurses may choose to accept lower hourly rates that include benefits like health insurance, while others might seek higher wages without such perks. For those navigating hourly negotiations in Tampa, it’s typically advantageous to emphasize specific skills or certifications that can enhance their overall value in this competitive field.
More salary data for Tampa, 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 Tampa. 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