Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Wheeling, WV: $29.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Wheeling, WV runs $29.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,264 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Wheeling's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.3, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,764 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Licensed practical nurses in Wheeling, West Virginia, earn a median hourly rate of $29.46 in 2026, which falls short of the national average of $32.73 per hour. This difference implies that LPNs in Wheeling may find themselves at a disadvantage in terms of hourly compensation compared to their national counterparts. For part-time or per-diem workers, typically engaged in settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and assisted living medication rooms, the hourly pay provides a viable option for generating supplemental income while maintaining flexibility in their work schedules. With entry-level positions starting around $23.81 per hour and experienced LPNs earning as much as $33.08, the hourly range in Wheeling’s nursing market allows for varied earning possibilities based on experience and work environment. These numbers are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.81 | $190.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.44 | $211.48 |
| Median (P50) | $29.46 | $235.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.04 | $248.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.08 | $264.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheeling
Based on $29.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.46/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheeling, WV can expect to earn approximately $61,274 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,350. With a cost-of-living index of 88.32 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wheeling.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheeling
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,178.34 | $5,106 | $61,274 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $707.01 | $3,064 | $36,764 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $471.34 | $2,042 | $24,510 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Wheeling) | $29.46 |
| 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 Wheeling, WV earn a median of $61,264 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.00% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 6.30% above the West Virginia state average of $57,633.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.46/hr = $36,764/year (purchasing power: $41,625).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,274/year (purchasing power: $69,375).
CoL index: 88.323 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+69.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Wheeling grew 51.3% from $18.42/hr (2019) to $27.87/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.14/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 Wheeling 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 Wheeling
Considering part-time opportunities, licensed practical nurses who work three days a week for a total of 24 hours will see a different financial picture compared to their full-time peers. Part-time LPNs can expect an annual income of around $36,761, significantly less than if they pursued a full-time schedule. Additionally, the per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Wheeling varies widely, with typical billing rates ranging from $28 to $42 per hour. Those working with staffing agencies may earn between $45 and $60 per hour at facilities experiencing staffing shortages, which reflects the demand in the local healthcare market. Different types of employers also influence hourly pay—positions in skilled nursing facilities or home health agencies may offer lower rates compared to hospitals or hospice care settings. LPNs often face the choice between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower pay with health insurance included. For those negotiating hourly pay in Wheeling, highlighting specific skill sets and experience can prove beneficial in securing better compensation.
More salary data for Wheeling, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Wheeling in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Wheeling?
Are licensed practical nurses in Wheeling paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Wheeling?
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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 Wheeling. 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