Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Ponce, PR: $12.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Ponce, PR runs $12.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $26,319 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Puerto Rico's regional price level (BEA RPP 75.0, 25% below national), each hour of work buys what $16.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $15,790 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Ponce, Puerto Rico, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) earn a median hourly rate of $12.65, significantly lower than the national median of $32.73. This disparity in wages highlights the financial realities for LPNs working in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health care, and physician offices. For part-time employees who work three days a week, or those engaged as per-diem workers, the hourly pay structure becomes pivotal for budgeting their households. In this context, LPNs in Ponce typically see an hourly range from $11.10 for entry-level positions to $18.94 for the more experienced and top earners. These figures represent projected data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), emphasizing the various earning thresholds within the profession locally.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.10 | $88.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.10 | $88.79 |
| Median (P50) | $12.65 | $101.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $13.25 | $106.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $18.94 | $151.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ponce
Based on $12.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $12.65/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ponce, PR can expect to earn approximately $26,317 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $15,183.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ponce
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $506.09 | $2,193 | $26,317 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $303.65 | $1,316 | $15,790 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $202.44 | $877 | $10,527 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Ponce) | $12.65 |
| 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 Ponce, PR earn a median of $26,319 per year (2026 est.), which is 61.34% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.70% below the Puerto Rico state average of $27,050.
2019 BLS Actual
$9.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$11.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$12.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Ponce (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $9.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $9.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $8.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $9.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $9.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $11.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $11.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $12.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $13.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Ponce grew 30.8% from $9.15/hr (2019) to $11.97/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $13.37/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 Ponce 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 Ponce
Consider the earning potential of LPNs opting for part-time positions at 24 hours per week. This work arrangement yields an annual income lower than that of full-time counterparts yet allows for flexibility and work-life balance. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Ponce varies widely, with some LPNs billing between $28 and $42 per hour, particularly when filling in at understaffed nursing facilities. While agency LPNs may command even higher rates, negotiating an hourly wage involves understanding the trade-offs between hourly pay and benefits, as many facilities might offer lower hourly rates but include health insurance. This is especially relevant given the competitive nature of different employer types—skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and correctional institutions all provide varied rates. For licensed practical nurses in Ponce, knowing how to leverage their skills in these environments can maximize their earning potential while considering their long-term career goals, including pathways towards RN licensure.
More salary data for Ponce, PR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Ponce in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Ponce. 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