Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in St. Joseph, MO: $30.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in St. Joseph, MO runs $30.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,181 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against St. Joseph's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.4, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,506 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Joseph, Missouri, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to be $30.85 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $32.73. This pay scale provides viable opportunities for part-time LPNs, such as those working three days a week, who can efficiently manage their earnings while maintaining a balanced schedule. This hourly rate is beneficial for per-diem licensed practical nurses as well, allowing them flexibility in dynamic healthcare settings including assisted living facilities, hospice environments, and home health care. The hourly range for licensed practical nurses in the region extends from $24.31 at the entry-level up to approximately $36.10 for those in top-tier positions, reflecting the demand and variability based on experience and employer type.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.31 | $194.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.55 | $228.40 |
| Median (P50) | $30.85 | $246.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.69 | $261.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.10 | $288.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Joseph
Based on $30.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.85/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Joseph, MO can expect to earn approximately $64,176 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,025. With a cost-of-living index of 86.38 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Joseph.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Joseph
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,234.15 | $5,348 | $64,176 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $740.49 | $3,209 | $38,506 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $493.66 | $2,139 | $25,670 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (St. Joseph) | $30.85 |
| 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 St. Joseph, MO earn a median of $64,181 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.71% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.50% below the Missouri state average of $64,504.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.85/hr = $38,506/year (purchasing power: $44,576).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,176/year (purchasing power: $74,293).
CoL index: 86.382 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+65.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in St. Joseph (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in St. Joseph grew 47.9% from $19.73/hr (2019) to $29.19/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.61/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 St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph
For those considering part-time employment, working as a licensed practical nurse three days a week (approximately 24 hours) translates to an annual income that allows for a comfortable living, though less than what full-time positions yield. Per-diem or agency LPNs tend to earn more on an hourly basis, billing anywhere from $28 to $42 per hour, and even higher rates of $45 to $60 per hour can be found in understaffed facilities, although common travel contracts are typically geared toward RNs. Hourly pay can fluctuate significantly depending on the type of employer in St. Joseph, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies often offering different pay structures versus hospitals or physician offices. Many LPNs find themselves weighing lower hourly wages against the prospect of job benefits like health insurance, and negotiating their pay effectively can significantly impact their earning potential in this competitive field.
More salary data for St. Joseph, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in St. Joseph in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in St. Joseph?
Are licensed practical nurses in St. Joseph paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in St. Joseph?
Do licensed practical nurses earn more per hour working part-time in St. Joseph?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
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 St. Joseph. 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