Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Lincoln, NE: $32.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Lincoln, NE runs $32.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,665 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Lincoln's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,996 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lincoln, Nebraska, the median hourly pay for licensed practical nurses is projected to be $32.05 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $32.73. This hourly rate offers flexibility to LPNs, especially those seeking part-time or per-diem work in various healthcare settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and assisted living communities. Licensed practical nurses working three days a week, or roughly 24 hours, can expect to earn a consistent wage while managing work-life balance. The hourly pay for LPNs in Lincoln ranges from $25.76 at the entry-level (P10) to $39.12 for the top earners (P90), reflecting the diversity within the profession and the varying levels of experience and specialization among practitioners.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.76 | $206.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.56 | $236.51 |
| Median (P50) | $32.05 | $256.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.99 | $295.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.12 | $312.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lincoln
Based on $32.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.05/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lincoln, NE can expect to earn approximately $66,660 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,458. With a cost-of-living index of 91.58 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lincoln.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lincoln
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,281.93 | $5,555 | $66,660 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $769.16 | $3,333 | $39,996 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $512.77 | $2,222 | $26,664 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Lincoln) | $32.05 |
| 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 Lincoln, NE earn a median of $66,665 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.07% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.00% above the Nebraska state average of $62,304.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.05/hr = $39,996/year (purchasing power: $43,673).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,660/year (purchasing power: $72,788).
CoL index: 91.581 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Lincoln grew 42.9% from $21.22/hr (2019) to $30.32/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.87/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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln
For LPNs considering part-time positions in Lincoln, the potential annual earnings can vary significantly compared to full-time roles. A nurse working just three days a week would bring home around $40,000 annually, while those working full-time might see earnings over $66,665. Per-diem licensed practical nurses often earn between $28 and $42 per hour, and agency positions at understaffed facilities can drive rates even higher, reaching $45 to $60 per hour. Different employers such as hospitals, correctional facilities, and home health agencies may offer varying hourly rates influenced by staffing needs and available benefits. Many licensed practical nurses might opt for positions with lower pay in exchange for health insurance and other perks. In a competitive job market, negotiation on pay is key, and LPNs in Lincoln should assess trade-offs between higher hourly rates and benefits, effectively advocating for fair compensation based on the demands and responsibilities they take on.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Lincoln in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Lincoln?
Are licensed practical nurses in Lincoln paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Lincoln?
Do licensed practical nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Lincoln?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Nebraska
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 Lincoln. 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