Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Jonesboro, AR: $53,886 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Jonesboro, AR earns a median $53,886/year (≈ $25.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Jonesboro's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $62,749 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jonesboro, AR, the 2026 median annual salary for licensed practical nurses is projected to be $53,886, which reflects a significant gap of 20.84% compared to the national median of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in this region extends from $42,703 at the 10th percentile to $65,439 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market for compensation. This data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and showcases the potential for variation in pay based on different factors such as experience, workplace setting, and additional certifications. As long-term care continues to be a vital sector in the local healthcare system, the demand for practical nursing remains robust, positioning Jonesboro as a competitive market for LPN employment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,703 | $20.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,057 | $25.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,886 | $25.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,553 | $30.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,439 | $31.46 |
Median Salary Position
20.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jonesboro
In Jonesboro, AR, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,736 (2026 est.). At $53,886, the local median is 20.84% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jonesboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jonesboro Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Jonesboro median: $53,886/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jonesboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $59,346 | -9.20% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -20.84% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Jonesboro, AR earn a median of $53,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.84% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 9.20% below the Arkansas state average of $59,346.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jonesboro has a cost of living 14.12% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jonesboro, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.876 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $53,886 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,749 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.45% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,550
2025 BLS Actual
$50,980
2026 Current Est.
$53,886
2019–2027 Growth
+55.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Jonesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,550 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,886 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,957 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jonesboro metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 39.5% from $36,550 (2019) to $50,980 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,957 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,407 (55.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jonesboro 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) | $42,703 – $52,057 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,057 – $53,886 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,886 – $62,553 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,553 – $65,439 |
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 Jonesboro
With approximately 630 licensed practical nurses working in the area, the job market in Jonesboro offers adequate opportunities for those entering the profession. The cost-of-living index in the region stands at 85.876, which is notably below the national average, making the take-home pay more substantial when adjusted for local living expenses. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and certain hospitals generally offer the highest compensation packages amongst LPN positions, with additional pay incentives available for shift differentials and weekend work. The pay scale varies, driven by the setting where LPNs are employed and their specific qualifications, such as IV therapy certification. To maximize earnings in this market, LPNs may consider acquiring specialized skills and seeking opportunities in long-term care, which typically offer higher wages compared to other healthcare settings.
More salary data for Jonesboro, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Jonesboro, AR in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Jonesboro?
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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 $50,980 for licensed practical nursesin the Jonesboro 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