Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Allentown, PA: $32.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Allentown, PA runs $32.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,701 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Allentown's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.0, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,616 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Allentown, Pennsylvania, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay stands at $32.55, just shy of the national median of $32.73. This competitive rate can significantly benefit part-time and per-diem workers, who often engage in a variety of settings ranging from skilled nursing facilities to home health visits, physician offices, and hospice care. Newer nurses may start at $28.50, while experienced practitioners can earn up to $38.30 an hour. The diversity of job settings allows for flexibility in scheduling, enabling LPNs to work three days a week or pick up shifts as per diem employees, which can be appealing for those seeking work-life balance. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and highlights the state of the profession within Allentown's healthcare landscape for 2026.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.50 | $227.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.41 | $251.31 |
| Median (P50) | $32.55 | $260.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.47 | $291.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.30 | $306.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Allentown
Based on $32.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.55/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Allentown, PA can expect to earn approximately $67,694 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,054. With a cost-of-living index of 99.97 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Allentown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Allentown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,301.80 | $5,641 | $67,694 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $781.08 | $3,385 | $40,616 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $520.72 | $2,256 | $27,077 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Allentown) | $32.55 |
| 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 Allentown, PA earn a median of $67,701 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.54% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.40% above the Pennsylvania state average of $66,766.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.55/hr = $40,616/year (purchasing power: $40,629).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,694/year (purchasing power: $67,715).
CoL index: 99.968 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Allentown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Allentown grew 27.1% from $24.22/hr (2019) to $30.79/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.40/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 Allentown 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 Allentown
When considering part-time employment as a licensed practical nurse in Allentown, the financial aspects become clearer. A typical 24-hour workweek could yield about $40,411 annually for those pursuing part-time roles. On the other hand, per diem licensed practical nurses can find varied pay rates, often charging between $28 to $42 per hour; agency work might offer even higher compensation, with rates hitting $45 to $60 in some cases. Different employers, such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies, contribute to these fluctuations in hourly rates. For example, LPNs in assisted living may receive lower wages alongside comprehensive health benefits, while those willing to trade benefits for higher pay may find gratification in agency gigs. Negotiating hourly rates is crucial; emphasizing specialized skills or certifications can lead to better compensation in the Allentown market.
More salary data for Allentown, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Allentown in 2026?
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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 Allentown. 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