Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Albuquerque, NM: $29.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Albuquerque, NM runs $29.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,640 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Albuquerque's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,382 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albuquerque, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to be $29.15 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $32.73. This disparity in hourly wages can affect part-time and per diem workers differently, especially those in various healthcare settings like skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and physician office exam rooms. LPNs working three days a week would typically see their income reflect these hourly rates, with entry-level practitioners earning around $19.36 per hour and top earners reaching $39.33 per hour. These figures are vital for understanding the financial landscape facing nursing professionals in the area, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.36 | $154.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.01 | $160.07 |
| Median (P50) | $29.15 | $233.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.06 | $296.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.33 | $314.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albuquerque
Based on $29.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.15/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albuquerque, NM can expect to earn approximately $60,636 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,982. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albuquerque.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albuquerque
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,166.08 | $5,053 | $60,636 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $699.65 | $3,032 | $36,382 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $466.43 | $2,021 | $24,255 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Albuquerque) | $29.15 |
| 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 Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $60,640 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.92% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 5.60% below the New Mexico state average of $64,237.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.15/hr = $36,382/year (purchasing power: $38,078).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,636/year (purchasing power: $63,463).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Albuquerque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Albuquerque grew 14.3% from $24.14/hr (2019) to $27.58/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.81/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 Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque
Considering the earning potential for part-time licensed practical nurses, a standard schedule of three days a week translating to roughly 24 hours of work can yield significant earnings differences compared to full-time positions. Part-time LPNs can expect to earn between $41,614 and $77,076 annually depending on their experience and hours worked. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Albuquerque typically varies, with rates ranging from $28 to $42 per hour. Agency LPNs, particularly in understaffed nursing facilities, may command even higher wages at $45 to $60 per hour. It's essential to recognize that hourly rates can vary significantly based on the work setting, with skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and hospitals often offering different salaries. Some LPNs may choose lower-paying roles that provide health benefits, while others opt for higher hourly rates without additional perks. When negotiating salaries, local LPNs can benefit from understanding their worth in the marketplace while emphasizing their experience in specific healthcare environments in Albuquerque.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Albuquerque in 2026?
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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 Albuquerque. 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