Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Rio Rancho, NM: $31.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Rio Rancho, NM runs $31.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,140 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Rio Rancho's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,680 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rio Rancho, New Mexico, licensed practical nurse (LPN) hourly pay is projected to reach a median rate of $31.79 in 2026, slightly below the national hourly median of $32.73. This rate significantly influences both part-time work and per-diem opportunities, allowing LPNs in the region to thrive in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and assisted living accommodations. Entry-level positions showcase hourly pay starting around $23.77, while more experienced LPNs can command rates up to $42.07. The flexible nature of hourly work means that LPNs often find opportunities to meet personal commitments while benefiting from the competitive rates available in Rio Rancho's healthcare landscape.
About the Rio Rancho 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) | $23.77 | $190.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.48 | $227.80 |
| Median (P50) | $31.79 | $254.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.08 | $304.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.07 | $336.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rio Rancho
Based on $31.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.79/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rio Rancho, NM can expect to earn approximately $66,133 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,153. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rio Rancho.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rio Rancho
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,271.78 | $5,511 | $66,133 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $763.07 | $3,307 | $39,680 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $508.71 | $2,204 | $26,453 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Rio Rancho) | $31.79 |
| 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 Rio Rancho, NM earn a median of $66,140 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.84% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.90% above the New Mexico state average of $64,276.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.79/hr = $39,680/year (purchasing power: $42,033).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,133/year (purchasing power: $70,056).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Rio Rancho (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Rio Rancho grew 35.6% from $22.18/hr (2019) to $30.08/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.61/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 Rio Rancho 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 Rio Rancho
For part-time LPNs working three days a week, the take-home earnings can vary significantly compared to full-time nurses. A typical part-time schedule of 24 hours per week translates to approximately $39,628 annually, while full-time nurses may earn a more substantial income. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Rio Rancho usually falls between $28 and $42 per hour, with agency positions at understaffed nursing facilities commanding up to $60 per hour. Moreover, hourly pay rates differ across employers; for instance, skilled nursing facilities might offer lower rates than hospitals and private practices, emphasizing a strategic choice for LPNs weighing benefits versus hourly pay. In the dialogue of salary negotiations, effective strategies could include highlighting practical skills and alignment with state scope-of-practice regulations to better position oneself in discussions about pay.
More salary data for Rio Rancho, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Rio Rancho in 2026?
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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 Rio Rancho. 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 Rio Rancho 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