Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Los Lunas, NM: $28.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Los Lunas, NM runs $28.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,725 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Los Lunas's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,841 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Los Lunas, NM, a licensed practical nurse earns a median hourly rate of $28.72, which is lower than the national median of $32.73. This rate provides a meaningful wage for LPNs working part-time or on a per-diem basis, often employed in skilled nursing facilities, home health settings, physician offices, and hospice care. For LPNs working a typical schedule of three days a week, or about 24 hours, this hourly pay can provide stable income while allowing for flexibility. Additionally, the hourly range extends from $24.37 for entry-level positions up to $35.08 for experienced practitioners, underscoring the varied earning potential within the profession based on experience, specific skills, and employer type.
About the Los Lunas Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.37 | $195.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.48 | $219.86 |
| Median (P50) | $28.72 | $229.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.06 | $264.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.08 | $280.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Lunas
Based on $28.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.72/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Lunas, NM can expect to earn approximately $59,735 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,462. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Los Lunas.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Lunas
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,148.75 | $4,978 | $59,735 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $689.25 | $2,987 | $35,841 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $459.50 | $1,991 | $23,894 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Los Lunas) | $28.72 |
| 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 Los Lunas, NM earn a median of $59,725 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.26% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.10% below the New Mexico state average of $64,289.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.72/hr = $35,841/year (purchasing power: $37,967).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,735/year (purchasing power: $63,278).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Los Lunas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Los Lunas grew 35.6% from $20.03/hr (2019) to $27.17/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.36/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 Los Lunas 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 Los Lunas
Turning to the realities of part-time work, a licensed practical nurse at Los Lunas working 24 hours weekly effectively translates to an annual take-home that may appeal to those seeking work-life balance, though it generally won't match the earnings of a full-time LPN. Per diem or agency roles often yield higher pay rates, with licensed practical nurses able to command between $28 and $42 per hour, and those in understaffed facilities can earn even more, ranging from $45 to $60 per hour. However, as LPNs navigate the differing employer types, from long-term care facilities to correctional unit infirmaries, they often encounter varying hourly rates. While some may accept slightly lower pay for benefits like health insurance, others might focus on maximizing their hourly wage without the security of these benefits. Those in Los Lunas can improve their negotiation power by emphasizing specific skills or certifications relevant to their targeted employment settings.
More salary data for Los Lunas, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Los Lunas in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Los Lunas?
Are licensed practical nurses in Los Lunas paid hourly or salary?
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Do licensed practical nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Los Lunas?
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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 Los Lunas. 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 Los Lunas 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