Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Arizona: $81,451 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arizona's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $81,451/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Arizona sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $82,691 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Scottsdale ($80,030), Glendale ($79,748), Flagstaff ($79,540).
In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Arizona are projected to earn an average median salary of $81,450, surpassing the national median of $68,071 by 19.7%. The highest salaries are found in Scottsdale at $84,592, while Kingman offers the lowest at $70,507, creating a salary gap of $14,085. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, healthcare demand, and varying employer funding across the state. Arizona’s licensing requirements and scope of practice laws are aligned with national standards, but the state’s growing population and aging demographics increase the demand for healthcare services, driving job opportunities for LPNs. The total number of employed LPNs in Arizona stands at 6,844, with a projected annual compound growth rate of 5.70%, indicating a steady rise in job openings. Key cities for LPNs include Glendale at $84,294, Flagstaff at $84,074, Chandler at $83,109, and Phoenix at $82,531. As the healthcare sector continues to expand in Arizona, LPNs can expect a solid job market, making this a promising career choice in the state.
Arizona Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arizona: $55,302 (lowest entry-level) to $113,268 (highest top earner)
Arizona vs National Average
Arizona licensed practical nurses earn 19.66% more than the national median (+$13,380/year difference).
Arizona Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Arizona range from $64,829 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $97,737 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $81,451. The Arizona median is $13,380 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $39.16/hr. Approximately 6,844 licensed practical nurses are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,694
2025 BLS Actual
$77,058
2026 Current Est.
$81,451
2019–2027 Growth
+57.4%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Arizona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,694 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,485 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,908 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,092 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,285 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,675 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,058 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,451 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,093 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arizona metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 40.9% from $54,694 (2019) to $77,058 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,093 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,399 (57.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arizona 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arizona
Lowest Paying Cities in Arizona
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Kingman | $70,507 |
| Lake Havasu City | $70,713 |
| Sierra Vista | $73,609 |
| Yuma | $73,821 |
| Sedona | $75,352 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Arizona
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arizona cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottsdale | $84,592 | 98.5 | $85,880 |
| Glendale | $84,294 | 98.5 | $85,578 |
| Chandler | $83,109 | 98.5 | $84,375 |
| Flagstaff | $84,074 | 100.325 | $83,802 |
| Prescott Valley | $82,235 | 98.255 | $83,695 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arizona
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $64,829 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $81,451 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $97,737 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arizona metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Arizona
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scottsdale | $84,592 |
| 2 | Glendale | $84,294 |
| 3 | Flagstaff | $84,074 |
| 4 | Chandler | $83,109 |
| 5 | Phoenix | $82,531 |
| 6 | Gilbert | $82,303 |
| 7 | Prescott Valley | $82,235 |
| 8 | Mesa | $82,131 |
| 9 | Peoria | $82,035 |
| 10 | Prescott | $81,797 |
| 11 | Maricopa | $81,364 |
| 12 | Avondale | $81,243 |
| 13 | Marana | $80,938 |
| 14 | San Tan Valley | $80,702 |
| 15 | Tempe | $80,608 |
| 16 | Tucson | $80,269 |
| 17 | Surprise | $80,095 |
| 18 | Goodyear | $79,972 |
| 19 | Queen Creek | $79,634 |
| 20 | Buckeye | $78,890 |
| 21 | Florence | $78,355 |
| 22 | Casa Grande | $78,185 |
| 23 | Bullhead City | $78,175 |
| 24 | El Mirage | $77,826 |
| 25 | Sahuarita | $77,490 |
| 26 | Apache Junction | $77,390 |
| 27 | Oro Valley | $76,088 |
| 28 | Nogales | $75,612 |
| 29 | Sedona | $75,352 |
| 30 | Yuma | $73,821 |
| 31 | Sierra Vista | $73,609 |
| 32 | Lake Havasu City | $70,713 |
| 33 | Kingman | $70,507 |
More Arizona Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Arizona cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Compare Cities in Arizona
View all comparisons →Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Arizona in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Arizona?
How does Arizona licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Arizona?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Arizona?
Which Arizona city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Arizona. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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