Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Rochester, NY: $31.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Rochester, NY runs $31.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,597 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.0, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,363 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, New York, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is set at a median of $31.54, slightly below the national median of $32.73. This competitive hourly rate offers various opportunities for both part-time and per-diem positions across diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, physician office exam rooms, hospice environments, correctional facility infirmaries, and assisted living medication rooms. For entry-level licensed practical nurses, hourly earnings start at approximately $26.94, while experienced professionals can reach up to $36.48 per hour, reflecting the broad pay range of $26.94 to $36.48 within Rochester. These figures are based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and are projected for 2026, giving insight into the expected compensation landscape for licensed practical nurses in the area.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.94 | $215.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.55 | $244.38 |
| Median (P50) | $31.54 | $252.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.55 | $260.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.48 | $291.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $31.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.54/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, NY can expect to earn approximately $65,605 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,849. With a cost-of-living index of 97.03 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,261.64 | $5,467 | $65,605 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $756.98 | $3,280 | $39,363 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $504.65 | $2,187 | $26,242 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Rochester) | $31.54 |
| 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 Rochester, NY earn a median of $65,597 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.63% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.30% below the New York state average of $66,461.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.54/hr = $39,363/year (purchasing power: $40,566).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,605/year (purchasing power: $67,610).
CoL index: 97.035 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Rochester grew 44.9% from $20.59/hr (2019) to $29.84/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.34/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
Focusing on the earning potential of a 3-day work week, a licensed practical nurse in Rochester could take home over $49,000 annually, significantly less than those willing to work full-time. The per diem reality for licensed practical nurses illustrates even greater variability: while many per diem positions command rates between $28 and $42 per hour, agency nurses working in clinical shortages can earn as much as $45 to $60 per hour. Hourly pay can vary considerably based on the type of employer, with skilled nursing facilities and long-term care settings typically offering lower rates compared to hospitals or home healthcare agencies. A strategic approach to negotiations can enhance compensation—LPNs must weigh the benefits of lower hourly pay with health insurance against higher wages that do not include benefits. As the demand for licensed practical nurses continues to grow, understanding regional variations in pay and employer-specific offerings will be critical for navigating career choices in Rochester and beyond.
More salary data for Rochester, 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 Rochester. 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