Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Albany, NY: $31.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Albany, NY runs $31.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,693 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Albany's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,416 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Albany, NY, is projected to be $31.58, which is slightly below the national median of $32.73. This hourly rate offers a flexible earning potential for part-time and per-diem workers, who are often employed in settings like skilled nursing facilities, home health care, physician offices, and hospice care. For those working three days a week, for example, the base hourly rate can translate to $1,264 weekly, depending on hours worked. Licensed practical nurses in Albany can expect to earn between $26.93 (entry-level positions) and $37.61 (top earners), reflecting the varying levels of experience and specialization within the field. These figures come from reliable projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, ensuring a clear picture of what aspiring and current LPNs can expect in terms of hourly compensation.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.93 | $215.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.48 | $243.87 |
| Median (P50) | $31.58 | $252.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.89 | $279.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.61 | $300.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albany
Based on $31.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.58/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albany, NY can expect to earn approximately $65,693 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,900. With a cost-of-living index of 99.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albany.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albany
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,263.33 | $5,474 | $65,693 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $758.00 | $3,285 | $39,416 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $505.33 | $2,190 | $26,277 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Albany) | $31.58 |
| 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 Albany, NY earn a median of $65,693 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.49% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.20% below the New York state average of $66,490.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.58/hr = $39,416/year (purchasing power: $39,588).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,693/year (purchasing power: $65,979).
CoL index: 99.566 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+56.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Albany grew 39.6% from $21.40/hr (2019) to $29.88/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.38/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 Albany 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 Albany
Considering the unique dynamics of nursing in Albany, part-time licensed practical nurses who work 24 hours weekly can expect to take home roughly $48,696 annually if earning the median hourly rate. For those interested in the flexibility of per-diem opportunities, rates can fluctuate significantly; per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Albany typically ranges from $28 to $42 per hour, while agency LPNs working in understaffed environments might see rates soar to $45-$60. Institutions like skilled nursing facilities and hospitals often offer different wages depending on the specific demands of their settings. Many licensed practical nurses make trade-offs in pay for health insurance and benefits, affecting their choice of employment. Negotiating hourly pay can be crucial in this scenario; LPNs should be prepared to discuss their skills and certifications, advocate for themselves, and understand the supply-and-demand landscape in Albany's healthcare market.
More salary data for Albany, NY:
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 Albany. 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