Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in St. Louis, MO: $33.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in St. Louis, MO runs $33.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,832 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against St. Louis's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.1, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,302 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Louis, Missouri, licensed practical nurses earn a median hourly rate of $33.09, which is slightly higher than the national median of $32.73. This figure offers an appealing opportunity for part-time and per-diem workers who may be employed in various environments, including skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and physician offices. The hourly pay for LPNs typically ranges from $28.77 at the entry level to $40.44 for those in top earning positions, reflecting the skills and experience that can be brought into settings like hospice care and correctional facilities. The data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS figures, projected to 2026, provides a reliable basis for understanding the financial landscape for those considering careers in practical nursing in this region.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.77 | $230.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.00 | $248.01 |
| Median (P50) | $33.09 | $264.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.71 | $309.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.44 | $323.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Louis
Based on $33.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.09/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Louis, MO can expect to earn approximately $68,837 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,714. With a cost-of-living index of 95.09 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Louis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Louis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,323.79 | $5,736 | $68,837 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $794.27 | $3,442 | $41,302 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $529.51 | $2,295 | $27,535 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (St. Louis) | $33.09 |
| 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. Louis, MO earn a median of $68,832 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.12% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 6.70% above the Missouri state average of $64,510.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.09/hr = $41,302/year (purchasing power: $43,436).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,837/year (purchasing power: $72,393).
CoL index: 95.088 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+56.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in St. Louis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in St. Louis grew 39.8% from $22.40/hr (2019) to $31.31/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.98/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. Louis 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. Louis
Considering a part-time work schedule, a licensed practical nurse in St. Louis putting in 24 hours per week would see their annual take-home earnings reflect a meaningful difference when compared to full-time positions. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in St. Louis ranges from $28 to $42 per hour, while agency nurses often earn higher rates—sometimes between $45 to $60 per hour—especially in understaffed nursing facilities. Hourly wages vary notably across employer types, as skilled nursing facilities might offer different pay rates than hospitals or home health agencies. Some LPNs may accept lower hourly offers for the added benefit of healthcare coverage, while others might seek higher-paying positions that lack these benefits. For those in the field, practical negotiation tactics, such as emphasizing versatility and willingness to work various shifts, can enhance earning potential in St. Louis' competitive healthcare market.
More salary data for St. Louis, MO:
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 St. Louis. 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