Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Las Cruces, NM: $31.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Las Cruces, NM runs $31.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,185 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Las Cruces's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,112 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Las Cruces, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay stands at a median of $31.34, slightly lower than the national median of $32.73. This rate is significant for various employment scenarios, including part-time and per-diem positions across diverse healthcare settings such as skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. For LPNs working three days a week, their hourly earnings provide flexibility, allowing them to balance work and personal commitments. The hourly range in Las Cruces offers entry-level positions starting at around $18.74 and extends to experienced LPNs earning up to $37.07, highlighting the potential for significant income growth within this profession. These figures are drawn from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, emphasizing the current market trends for licensed practical nurses in the area.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.74 | $149.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.86 | $214.87 |
| Median (P50) | $31.34 | $250.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.92 | $271.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.07 | $296.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Las Cruces
Based on $31.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.34/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Las Cruces, NM can expect to earn approximately $65,187 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,608. With a cost-of-living index of 90.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Las Cruces.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Las Cruces
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,253.60 | $5,432 | $65,187 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $752.16 | $3,259 | $39,112 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $501.44 | $2,173 | $26,075 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Las Cruces) | $31.34 |
| 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 Las Cruces, NM earn a median of $65,185 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.24% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.40% above the New Mexico state average of $64,285.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.34/hr = $39,112/year (purchasing power: $43,356).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,187/year (purchasing power: $72,260).
CoL index: 90.212 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Las Cruces (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Las Cruces grew 24.7% from $23.77/hr (2019) to $29.65/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.13/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 Las Cruces 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 Las Cruces
When considering a part-time role, an LPN in Las Cruces working 24 hours per week could earn an annual income that reflects their commitment while offering work-life balance benefits. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Las Cruces typically ranges from $28 to $42 per hour, with agency LPNs sometimes commanding rates of $45 to $60 as they fill gaps in understaffed facilities. The pay varies significantly across employer types; skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities may offer lower hourly wages, while hospitals and correctional facilities could provide more competitive rates. Many LPNs may opt for positions with lower hourly rates that also include benefits, such as health insurance, which can create a trade-off in overall compensation. For those entering negotiations, it’s essential to understand the specifics of their employer and to focus on both hourly wages and the value of included benefits, ensuring a fair arrangement that meets their financial needs.
More salary data for Las Cruces, NM:
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 Las Cruces. 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