Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in State College, PA: $31.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in State College, PA runs $31.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,492 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against State College's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,297 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in State College, Pennsylvania, will earn a median hourly rate of $31.49, which falls slightly below the national median of $32.73. This hourly wage translates effectively for part-time and per-diem workers, who are often employed in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and physician offices. With an hourly range extending from $25.34 for entry-level positions to $35.34 for the highest earners, the pay reflects the complexities and responsibilities of this role. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data is crucial for understanding these figures, as they provide essential benchmarks for both current practitioners and those considering a career in practical nursing within this region.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.34 | $202.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.31 | $234.48 |
| Median (P50) | $31.49 | $251.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.56 | $268.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.34 | $282.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in State College
Based on $31.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.49/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in State College, PA can expect to earn approximately $65,495 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,786. With a cost-of-living index of 96.76 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in State College.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in State College
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,259.52 | $5,458 | $65,495 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $755.71 | $3,275 | $39,297 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $503.81 | $2,183 | $26,198 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (State College) | $31.49 |
| 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 State College, PA earn a median of $65,492 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.79% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.90% below the Pennsylvania state average of $66,760.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.49/hr = $39,297/year (purchasing power: $40,612).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,495/year (purchasing power: $67,687).
CoL index: 96.762 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+65.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in State College (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in State College grew 47.7% from $20.17/hr (2019) to $29.79/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.28/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 State College 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 State College
Analyzing the earning potential for LPNs reveals some interesting dynamics, especially for those seeking part-time work. A licensed practical nurse working three days a week, clocking in 24 hours, can expect to take home about $39,358 annually, compared to full-time counterparts who earn significantly more. Per-diem licensed practical nurses typically charge between $28 and $42 per hour, while agency LPNs, often working in understaffed facilities, can command rates as high as $45 to $60 per hour. Hourly rates can also vary widely depending on the employment setting, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies generally offering different compensation structures. Some LPNs may accept lower hourly wages for positions that provide health insurance and benefits, while others prioritize higher pay for roles without these extras. For those negotiating pay in State College, it’s advisable to highlight qualifications and experience, as these can significantly impact hourly compensation in this competitive job market.
More salary data for State College, PA:
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 State College. 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