Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Bismarck, ND: $31.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Bismarck, ND runs $31.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,206 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Bismarck's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,126 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bismarck, North Dakota, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to reach $31.35 in 2026, which falls slightly below the national hourly median of $32.73. This figure reflects the diverse work environments available to LPNs, from skilled nursing facilities to home health settings. For part-time employees who might work three days a week, this hourly rate offers a feasible means of living, particularly in a city where the cost of living index is below the national average. Those just entering the field can expect to start around $26.11, while top earners in the profession may achieve rates as high as $38.44 per hour. These estimates are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, providing a reliable overview of expected earnings for licensed practical nurses in Bismarck.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.11 | $208.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.78 | $238.21 |
| Median (P50) | $31.35 | $250.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.26 | $266.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.44 | $307.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bismarck
Based on $31.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.35/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bismarck, ND can expect to earn approximately $65,209 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,621. With a cost-of-living index of 91.02 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bismarck.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bismarck
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,254.02 | $5,434 | $65,209 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $752.41 | $3,260 | $39,126 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $501.61 | $2,174 | $26,084 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Bismarck) | $31.35 |
| 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 Bismarck, ND earn a median of $65,206 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.21% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.10% above the North Dakota state average of $62,638.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.35/hr = $39,126/year (purchasing power: $42,984).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,209/year (purchasing power: $71,640).
CoL index: 91.024 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Bismarck grew 27.3% from $23.30/hr (2019) to $29.66/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.14/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 Bismarck 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 Bismarck
When considering earning potential as a licensed practical nurse in Bismarck, part-time positions can yield significantly different annual take-home amounts compared to full-time work. A nurse working 24 hours per week might expect to earn around $39,229 annually, making flexible scheduling attractive for those balancing other obligations. In terms of per diem licensed practical nurse pay, Bismarck offers competitive rates, with many LPNs billing between $28 and $42 per hour, and agency nurses potentially earning up to $60 per hour at understaffed facilities. However, work conditions can vary widely based on employer type. Nurses in hospitals may see lower hourly rates compared to those in home health or assisted living facilities due to different staffing models and benefit structures. Thus, when negotiating pay, it is crucial for LPNs to weigh the advantages of higher hourly rates against potential benefits, including health insurance and retirement plans. Understanding the regional market dynamics can empower licensed practical nurses to make informed career choices while seeking optimal hourly compensation.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Bismarck in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Bismarck?
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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 Bismarck. 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