Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Missoula, MT: $32.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Missoula, MT runs $32.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,728 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Missoula's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,036 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Missoula, Montana, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to reach $32.08 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $32.73. This hourly rate allows LPNs working part-time—say, three days a week—to earn a substantial wage, especially in diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and physician offices. For those pursuing per diem work, the flexibility can also be rewarding, with typical hourly rates ranging from $25.91 at the lower end to $38.21 for top earners. These figures, provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, highlight the potential earnings for LPNs in a region where healthcare roles are critical and varied.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.91 | $207.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.24 | $241.93 |
| Median (P50) | $32.08 | $256.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.23 | $273.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.21 | $305.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Missoula
Based on $32.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.08/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Missoula, MT can expect to earn approximately $66,726 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,496. With a cost-of-living index of 96.44 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Missoula.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Missoula
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,283.20 | $5,561 | $66,726 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $769.92 | $3,336 | $40,036 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $513.28 | $2,224 | $26,691 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Missoula) | $32.08 |
| 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 Missoula, MT earn a median of $66,728 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.97% lower than the national median of $68,071.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.08/hr = $40,036/year (purchasing power: $41,512).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,726/year (purchasing power: $69,186).
CoL index: 96.445 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Missoula grew 32.4% from $22.92/hr (2019) to $30.35/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.91/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 Missoula 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 Missoula
Considering a 24-hour work week, a licensed practical nurse in Missoula could take home approximately $40,000 annually while working part-time, a significant income compared to other professions in the area. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Missoula varies between $28 and $42 per hour, while agency LPNs may earn even more—up to $60 per hour—due to staffing shortages in long-term care facilities. Hourly pay can differ significantly based on the type of employer, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies generally offering lower rates while hospitals and specialized clinics may provide more competitive wages. Some LPNs opt for positions with lower hourly rates because they come with health insurance benefits, thus presenting a trade-off between immediate pay and long-term financial security. Negotiating pay can be advantageous; LPNs in Missoula should be prepared to discuss their skills and experiences, particularly in specialized areas, to maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Missoula, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Missoula in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Missoula?
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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 Missoula. 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