Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Merrimack, NH: $34.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Merrimack, NH runs $34.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,186 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Merrimack's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,714 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Merrimack, New Hampshire, licensed practical nurses earn a median hourly rate of $34.23, which exceeds the national median of $32.73. This competitive hourly wage allows for diverse employment options, whether working part-time in settings such as skilled nursing facilities, physician offices, or providing home health care. For LPNs opting for per diem roles, the flexibility of scheduling offers a chance to earn between $26.20 and $42.03 per hour. With such a range from entry-level positions to top earners, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Merrimack reflects both the demand for healthcare workers and the varied environments in which they operate. These hourly rates are estimated from annual salary data and highlight the lucrative prospects within local facilities and home health services.
About the Merrimack Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.20 | $209.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.82 | $246.58 |
| Median (P50) | $34.23 | $273.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.42 | $315.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.03 | $336.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merrimack
Based on $34.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.23/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merrimack, NH can expect to earn approximately $71,189 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,071. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Merrimack.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merrimack
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,369.03 | $5,932 | $71,189 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $821.42 | $3,559 | $42,714 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $547.61 | $2,373 | $28,476 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Merrimack) | $34.23 |
| 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 Merrimack, NH earn a median of $71,186 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.58% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 2.50% below the New Hampshire state average of $73,011.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.23/hr = $42,714/year (purchasing power: $39,808).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,189/year (purchasing power: $66,346).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Merrimack (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Merrimack grew 35.6% from $23.87/hr (2019) to $32.38/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.18/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 Merrimack 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 Merrimack
Transitioning into part-time positions, a licensed practical nurse working three days a week (24 hours) in Merrimack could expect to earn approximately $42,189 annually, a solid income compared to full-time counterparts. For those in per diem, agency, or locum roles, wages can vary significantly. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Merrimack typically ranges from $28 to $42 per hour, while agency nurses at some long-term care facilities might command rates up to $60 per hour. It's noteworthy that hourly compensation can fluctuate depending on the employer, with specialty areas like hospice or correctional facilities occasionally offering higher rates due to increased responsibilities or the need for more specialized skills. However, many LPNs may choose positions with lower hourly rates that offer valuable health benefits over higher-paying roles without such advantages. To successfully negotiate their wages, LPNs should come prepared with knowledge of prevailing rates in Merrimack and emphasize the unique skills they bring to potential employers.
More salary data for Merrimack, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Merrimack in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Merrimack?
Are licensed practical nurses in Merrimack paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Merrimack?
Do licensed practical nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Merrimack?
Related Pages
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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 Merrimack. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Merrimack is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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