Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Buckeye, AZ: $78,890 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Buckeye, AZ earns a median $78,890/year (≈ $37.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Buckeye's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $80,091 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $78,890 in 2026, licensed practical nurse salaries in Buckeye, AZ, reflect the state's diverse scope-of-practice rules, which enable LPNs to perform tasks such as IV therapy and patient assessments. The salary range is quite broad, spanning from $63,461 at the 10th percentile to $103,180 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the various roles and responsibilities nurses hold across different care settings. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differences, showcase how the local market compensates LPNs competitively compared to national figures. With the cost of living index in Buckeye at 98.5, LPNs can expect their earnings to stretch further, contributing positively to their overall economic standing in the area.
About the Buckeye Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,461 | $30.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,582 | $35.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,890 | $37.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,058 | $43.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,180 | $49.61 |
Median Salary Position
15.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buckeye
In Buckeye, AZ, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,719 (2026 est.). At $78,890, the local median is 15.89% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buckeye: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buckeye Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Buckeye median: $78,890/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buckeye Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $80,255 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +15.89% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Buckeye, AZ earn a median of $78,890 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.89% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.70% below the Arizona state average of $80,255.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buckeye 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.
Buckeye, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $78,890 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,091 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,027
2025 BLS Actual
$74,636
2026 Current Est.
$78,890
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Buckeye (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,027 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,302 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,224 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,958 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,636 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,890 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,387 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buckeye metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $55,027 (2019) to $74,636 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,387 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,360 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buckeye 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) | $63,461 – $73,582 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,582 – $78,890 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,890 – $91,058 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,058 – $103,180 |
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 Buckeye
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Buckeye consists of roughly 19 individuals, indicating a small but essential presence in the community. The relatively low cost of living, demonstrated by the index of 98.5, means that take-home pay potentially goes further compared to many other regions. Employers who tend to offer the most competitive pay include skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities, both of which prioritize hiring LPNs for their comprehensive care capabilities. Factors contributing to the discrepancy in pay range include the work setting—skilled nursing typically offers higher compensation compared to home health or physician offices—as well as extras such as shift differentials, IV therapy stipends, and holiday premiums. To enhance earning potential in Buckeye, LPNs might consider pursuing additional certifications, especially in specialty areas that are in high demand, and exploring roles in long-term care, where opportunities often offer more substantial financial rewards.
More salary data for Buckeye, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Buckeye, AZ in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Buckeye?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Buckeye?
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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 $74,636 for licensed practical nursesin the Buckeye 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 Buckeye 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