Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Minneapolis, MN: $33.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Minneapolis, MN runs $33.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,403 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Minneapolis's regional price level (BEA RPP 104.8, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,645 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is projected to be $33.37, which surpasses the national median hourly rate of $32.73 by 1.96%. This rate reflects the robust demand for LPNs in various healthcare settings including skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and physician office exam rooms. Part-time nurses working three days a week could earn a substantial income while enjoying a work-life balance, making the role appealing for those who may also pursue further education in nursing. The hourly range for LPNs varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $28.88 per hour and experienced professionals earning up to $39.26 per hour. These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, ensuring a solid benchmark for salary expectations within the Minneapolis healthcare market.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.88 | $231.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.42 | $251.40 |
| Median (P50) | $33.37 | $266.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.32 | $298.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.26 | $314.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Minneapolis
Based on $33.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.37/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Minneapolis, MN can expect to earn approximately $69,409 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,043. With a cost-of-living index of 104.82 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Minneapolis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Minneapolis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,334.78 | $5,784 | $69,409 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $800.87 | $3,470 | $41,645 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $533.91 | $2,314 | $27,763 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Minneapolis) | $33.37 |
| 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 Minneapolis, MN earn a median of $69,403 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.96% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 3.00% above the Minnesota state average of $67,381.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.37/hr = $41,645/year (purchasing power: $39,729).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,409/year (purchasing power: $66,216).
CoL index: 104.822 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Minneapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Minneapolis grew 29.8% from $24.32/hr (2019) to $31.57/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.27/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 Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis
Exploring the earning potential for part-time licensed practical nurses highlights some interesting dynamics. A typical 3-day workweek for an LPN translates to about 24 hours, which amounts to an annual take-home pay significantly lower than full-time counterparts. On the other hand, per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Minneapolis often varies widely, with rates generally falling between $28 and $42 per hour; however, those working with agencies in understaffed facilities can command up to $60 per hour. Different employer types also play a part in hourly earnings, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies typically offering competitive rates, while hospitals may not be as favorable due to their shift towards an all-RN staffing model in many areas. LPNs may need to negotiate trade-offs between higher hourly wages without benefits versus more stable roles that provide health insurance. For hourly workers in Minneapolis, effective negotiation can often hinge on understanding local market demands and the specifics of employer needs, positioning LPNs to maximize their value in this evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Minneapolis, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Minneapolis in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Minneapolis?
Are licensed practical nurses in Minneapolis paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Minneapolis?
Do licensed practical nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Minneapolis?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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 Minneapolis. 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