Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Sierra Vista, AZ: $73,609 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Sierra Vista, AZ earns a median $73,609/year (≈ $35.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Sierra Vista's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $82,482 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.3% below the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Sierra Vista, Arizona, the forecast for licensed practical nurse salaries in 2026 is promising, with a median annual income projected at $73,609. This figure reflects a competitive edge compared to the national median of $68,071, placing Sierra Vista's licensed practical nurse pay around 8.14% higher than the national average. The salary range for this profession also spans significantly, from $55,302 at the 10th percentile to $83,344 at the 90th percentile, indicating a variety of earning potential based on experience, skill level, and specific work environments. Derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, this data emphasizes the city's favorable job market for licensed practical nurses, especially due to Arizona’s broader scope-of-practice regulations, which permit advanced duties such as IV therapy and patient assessment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,302 | $26.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,634 | $29.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,609 | $35.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,148 | $38.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,344 | $40.07 |
Median Salary Position
8.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sierra Vista
In Sierra Vista, AZ, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,042 (2026 est.). At $73,609, the local median is 8.14% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sierra Vista: You'd be above the median
How Sierra Vista Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Sierra Vista median: $73,609/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sierra Vista Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $80,272 | -8.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +8.14% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Sierra Vista, AZ earn a median of $73,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.14% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 8.30% below the Arizona state average of $80,272.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sierra Vista has a cost of living 10.76% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sierra Vista, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 89.243 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $73,609 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,482 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,170
2025 BLS Actual
$69,640
2026 Current Est.
$73,609
2019–2027 Growth
+68.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Sierra Vista (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,609 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,805 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sierra Vista metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 50.8% from $46,170 (2019) to $69,640 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,805 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,635 (68.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sierra Vista 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) | $55,302 – $61,634 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,634 – $73,609 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,609 – $79,148 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,148 – $83,344 |
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 Sierra Vista
The local job market features about 110 licensed practical nurses employed in Sierra Vista, underscoring a stable demand for these healthcare professionals. With the cost of living index at 89.243, which is below the national average, take-home purchasing power can be favorable for LPNs in the area. Opportunities for higher pay often exist in skilled nursing facilities and long-term care settings, as these roles typically offer competitive compensation compared to home health agencies or physician offices. Factors influencing salary disparities include specific certifications, such as IV therapy, shift differentials, and premiums for weekends and holidays in long-term care. For those looking to maximize their earnings in this local market, pursuing additional certifications and being flexible with shift preferences can be key strategies for enhancing licensed practical nurse salary in Sierra Vista.
More salary data for Sierra Vista, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Sierra Vista?
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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 $69,640 for licensed practical nursesin the Sierra Vista 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
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