Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Louisville, KY: $34.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Louisville, KY runs $34.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,183 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Louisville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,714 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Louisville, Kentucky, the projected median hourly pay for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in 2026 is $34.23, which is notably higher than the national median of $32.73. This competitive rate offers a favorable environment for part-time and per-diem work, commonly found in settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and physician offices. For example, a part-time LPN working three days a week can expect to earn significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $24.45 per hour and experienced professionals potentially making up to $45.82 per hour. The hourly pay reflects a broader trend in the healthcare industry, where LPNs are increasingly recognized for their critical contributions in patient care across various environments, including hospice care and correctional healthcare.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($51,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.45 | $195.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.82 | $238.54 |
| Median (P50) | $34.23 | $273.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.20 | $329.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.82 | $366.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville
Based on $34.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.23/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville, KY can expect to earn approximately $71,189 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,071. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,369.03 | $5,932 | $71,189 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $821.42 | $3,559 | $42,714 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $547.61 | $2,373 | $28,476 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Louisville) | $34.23 |
| 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, KY earn a median of $71,183 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.57% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $65,305.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.23/hr = $42,714/year (purchasing power: $47,832).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,189/year (purchasing power: $79,719).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Louisville grew 35.6% from $23.87/hr (2019) to $32.38/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.18/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 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
While part-time licensed practical nurses in Louisville can earn a solid income, there are trade-offs compared to full-time counterparts. A LPN working 24 hours a week would see an annual take-home amount reflecting their hourly rate, which allows for flexible scheduling but typically involves sacrificing benefits like health insurance. Per-diem licensed practical nurses in the area might bill $28-$42 per hour, with agency positions in high-demand nursing facilities fetching rates as high as $45-$60 per hour. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and hospitals offer varying compensation levels, compelling some LPNs to accept lower hourly wages for the security of steady employment and health benefits. For those negotiating their pay, presenting research on local averages and emphasizing experience or specialized training can yield better compensation arrangements, making the most of the licensed practical nurse hourly rate in KY.
More salary data for Louisville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Louisville in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Louisville?
Are licensed practical nurses in Louisville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Louisville?
Do licensed practical nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Louisville?
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
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. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Louisville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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