Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY: $32.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY runs $32.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,134 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Louisville/Jefferson County's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,880 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Louisville/Jefferson County, licensed practical nurses earn a median hourly rate of $32.76, which is slightly above the national median of $32.73. This competitive wage allows for various working arrangements, including part-time schedules of three days a week, commonly yielding a solid income even for those in per-diem positions. Hourly pay varies across the spectrum, with entry-level LPNs earning around $27.10 and experienced professionals making up to $37.75. Such hourly rates reflect the critical role LPNs play in diverse healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and physician offices, as shown in 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.10 | $216.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.29 | $242.35 |
| Median (P50) | $32.76 | $262.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.04 | $288.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.75 | $301.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville/Jefferson County
Based on $32.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.76/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY can expect to earn approximately $68,133 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,308. With a cost-of-living index of 93.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville/Jefferson County.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville/Jefferson County
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,310.26 | $5,678 | $68,133 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $786.15 | $3,407 | $40,880 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $524.10 | $2,271 | $27,253 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Louisville/Jefferson County) | $32.76 |
| 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earn a median of $68,134 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.09% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 4.40% above the Kentucky state average of $65,263.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.76/hr = $40,880/year (purchasing power: $43,922).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,133/year (purchasing power: $73,203).
CoL index: 93.074 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+60.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Louisville/Jefferson County (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 43.3% from $21.62/hr (2019) to $30.99/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.62/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 Louisville/Jefferson County 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 Louisville/Jefferson County
The earning scenario shifts notably for part-time LPNs in Louisville/Jefferson County, who, working 24 hours a week, can expect to take home a substantial amount while enjoying flexible schedules. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay typically ranges from $28 to $42 per hour, while agency positions in high-demand environments may command rates of $45 to $60 hourly. The varying pay reflects the differences in the types of healthcare facilities, with hospitals often having lower hourly rates compared to long-term care and home health agencies. Many LPNs weigh the benefits of full-time employment, which may offer health insurance, against the higher pay rates available for those willing to forego benefits. For successful negotiations, it helps for LPNs to be informed about average hourly rates specific to their area and employer type, ensuring they advocate effectively for their worth in the healthcare workforce.
More salary data for Louisville/Jefferson County, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Louisville/Jefferson County in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Louisville/Jefferson County?
Are licensed practical nurses in Louisville/Jefferson County paid hourly or salary?
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Do licensed practical nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Louisville/Jefferson County?
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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 Louisville/Jefferson County. 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