Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Santa Fe, NM: $36.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Santa Fe, NM runs $36.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,897 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Santa Fe's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.8, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,143 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Fe, NM, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected at $36.97 for 2026, which is significantly above the national median hourly rate of $32.73. This higher hourly compensation can benefit part-time workers, such as those working three days a week, allowing them to earn a respectable income while maintaining flexibility in their schedules. With hourly rates ranging from $26.90 for entry-level positions to $43.65 for experienced professionals, LPNs can find fulfilling roles across various healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and assisted living medication rooms. This information, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, provides a clear overview of the earning potential for licensed practical nurses in a region where demand for skilled healthcare workers remains strong.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.90 | $215.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.87 | $238.97 |
| Median (P50) | $36.97 | $295.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.60 | $332.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.65 | $349.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Fe
Based on $36.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.97/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Fe, NM can expect to earn approximately $76,906 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,369. With a cost-of-living index of 98.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Santa Fe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Fe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,478.95 | $6,409 | $76,906 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $887.37 | $3,845 | $46,143 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $591.58 | $2,564 | $30,762 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Santa Fe) | $36.97 |
| 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 Santa Fe, NM earn a median of $76,897 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.97% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 19.70% above the New Mexico state average of $64,241.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.97/hr = $46,143/year (purchasing power: $46,719).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,906/year (purchasing power: $77,866).
CoL index: 98.767 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+96.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Santa Fe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Santa Fe grew 75.6% from $19.92/hr (2019) to $34.98/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.08/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 Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe
Licensed practical nurses who work part-time in Santa Fe, particularly on a three-day weekly schedule of 24 hours, can expect to earn approximately $46,206 annually. In contrast, full-time employment would yield significantly higher earnings. The per diem landscape for licensed practical nurse pay in Santa Fe typically ranges from $28 to $42 per hour, while agency nurses may earn even more, billing up to $60 for urgent needs at understaffed facilities. Hourly rates can also fluctuate based on the type of employer; hospitals and surgical centers might offer lower compensation relative to home health agencies or hospice care settings, yet those roles may come with benefits such as health insurance. For those who prioritize immediate pay, the trade-offs are clear: higher hourly wages may not include benefits, while stable positions with lower pay may offer necessary health coverage. When negotiating hourly rates, it's essential for LPNs to understand their worth in Santa Fe's job market, factoring in the significant variation in pay based on experience and setting.
More salary data for Santa Fe, 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 Santa Fe. 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