Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Apache Junction, AZ: $77,390 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Apache Junction, AZ earns a median $77,390/year (≈ $37.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Apache Junction's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $78,569 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Apache Junction, the projected median annual salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in 2026 is $77,390, representing a notable increase compared to the national median of $68,071. This salary reflects local considerations, including the specific structure of healthcare settings in the area, which typically encompass skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and physician offices. The salary range for LPNs in Apache Junction extends from $64,007 at the 10th percentile to $93,593 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse opportunities depending on the work environment and the level of experience. Local estimates sourced from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities underscore the employment potential for LPNs, particularly in long-term care and assisted living communities where demand for skilled nursing is consistently high.
About the Apache Junction Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,007 | $30.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,403 | $35.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,390 | $37.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,086 | $42.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,593 | $45.00 |
Median Salary Position
13.69% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apache Junction
In Apache Junction, AZ, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,586 (2026 est.). At $77,390, the local median is 13.69% above the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Apache Junction: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apache Junction Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Apache Junction median: $77,390/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apache Junction Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $80,280 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +13.69% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Apache Junction, AZ earn a median of $77,390 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.69% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 3.60% below the Arizona state average of $80,280.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apache Junction has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apache Junction, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $77,390 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,569 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,980
2025 BLS Actual
$73,217
2026 Current Est.
$77,390
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Apache Junction (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,504 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,651 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,098 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,908 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,779 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,217 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,390 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,802 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apache Junction metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $53,980 (2019) to $73,217 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,802 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,822 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apache Junction 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $64,007 – $73,403 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,403 – $77,390 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,390 – $88,086 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,086 – $93,593 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Apache Junction
On the ground in Apache Junction, the job market for licensed practical nurses is relatively small, with only six employed practitioners in the area. The cost of living index stands at 98.5, slightly below the national average, which implies that while the salaries may be competitive, the take-home purchasing power can be impacted by local economic conditions. Employers in skilled nursing facilities and long-term care environments generally offer higher compensation compared to home health and physician offices. Factors contributing to the disparity in pay include the complexity of care required in skilled nursing, shift differentials for nights and weekends, and potential stipends for specialized certifications such as IV therapy. For LPNs in Apache Junction, pursuing roles in these higher-paying settings and taking advantage of shift premiums can significantly enhance earning potential, providing a pathway toward financial stability in a challenging job market.
More salary data for Apache Junction, AZ:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $73,217 for licensed practical nursesin the Apache Junction metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Apache Junction is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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