Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Maricopa, AZ: $81,364 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Maricopa, AZ earns a median $81,364/year (≈ $39.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Maricopa's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $82,603 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Maricopa, Arizona, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $81,364, which represents a significant 19.53% increase over the national median of $68,071. The local salary range extends from $62,909 at the 10th percentile to $103,135 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy variation in compensation based on experience and workplace setting. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost differences, reflect the unique economic landscape of Maricopa. Factors such as shift differentials and weekend premiums are essential in determining effective compensation for LPNs, especially in long-term care settings, where the demand for skilled practitioners continues to rise.
About the Maricopa Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,909 | $30.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,045 | $35.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,364 | $39.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,233 | $45.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,135 | $49.58 |
Median Salary Position
19.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Maricopa
In Maricopa, AZ, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,226 (2026 est.). At $81,364, the local median is 19.53% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Maricopa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Maricopa Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Maricopa median: $81,364/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Maricopa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $80,240 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +19.53% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Maricopa, AZ earn a median of $81,364 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.53% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.40% above the Arizona state average of $80,240.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Maricopa 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.
Maricopa, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $81,364 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,603 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,752
2025 BLS Actual
$76,976
2026 Current Est.
$81,364
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Maricopa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,752 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,354 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,457 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,286 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,394 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,976 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,364 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,001 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maricopa metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $56,752 (2019) to $76,976 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,001 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,249 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maricopa 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) | $62,909 – $74,045 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,045 – $81,364 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,364 – $95,233 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,233 – $103,135 |
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 Maricopa
Considering the current job market in Maricopa, only 10 licensed practical nurses are employed locally, suggesting a specialized demand that could lead to competitive compensation levels. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, residents typically enjoy slightly lower living expenses compared to national averages, enhancing their purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities often offer the highest pay, followed by home health agencies and physician offices. The variation in salaries can be largely attributed to workplace settings, where skilled nursing environments pay more due to higher responsibility and specialized skills, such as IV therapy certification. To maximize earnings, LPNs in Maricopa should seek positions that include shift differentials and are willing to take on weekend or holiday shifts, capitalizing on opportunities for charge nurse roles and additional stipends.
More salary data for Maricopa, 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 $76,976 for licensed practical nursesin the Maricopa 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 Maricopa 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