Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Little Rock, AR: $62,617 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Little Rock, AR earns a median $62,617/year (≈ $30.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Little Rock's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $70,070 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Little Rock is projected to reach a median of $62,617, reflecting a competitive position within the wider healthcare job market. The salary range for this profession spans from $49,203 at the 10th percentile to $72,912 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates based on 2025 BLS data. With the growth rate projected at 5.70% annually, Little Rock's nursing professionals are finding increasing opportunities in various healthcare settings. However, the need for skilled nurses may present challenges in some areas, particularly as hospitals and clinics adapt their staffing strategies in favor of registered nurses (RNs) over LPNs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,203 | $23.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,340 | $26.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,617 | $30.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,058 | $31.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,912 | $35.05 |
Median Salary Position
8.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Rock
In Little Rock, AR, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,709 (2026 est.). At $62,617, the local median is 8.01% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Little Rock: You'd be above the median
How Little Rock Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Little Rock median: $62,617/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Little Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $59,296 | +5.60% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -8.01% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Little Rock, AR earn a median of $62,617 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.01% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 5.60% above the Arkansas state average of $59,296.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Little Rock has a cost of living 10.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 89.364 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $62,617 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,070 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,430
2025 BLS Actual
$59,240
2026 Current Est.
$62,617
2019–2027 Growth
+49.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,617 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,186 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Rock metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 33.3% from $44,430 (2019) to $59,240 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,186 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,756 (48.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock 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) | $49,203 – $54,340 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,340 – $62,617 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,617 – $65,058 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,058 – $72,912 |
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 Little Rock
The local job market in Little Rock AR employs approximately 2,470 licensed practical nurses, a robust figure considering the cost of living index stands at 89.364, indicating a lower-than-average living expense that can enhance take-home purchasing power. Among the largest employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest salaries, followed by home health agencies and hospitals. The disparity in pay often arises from various factors, including work settings and additional qualifications. Those in skilled nursing roles often earn more due to the complexity of patient care, while weekend and holiday premiums can further boost income. For those looking to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in Little Rock, seeking opportunities in long-term care or pursuing specialty certifications, such as IV therapy, could be beneficial strategies for enhancing earning potential.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
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 $59,240 for licensed practical nursesin the Little Rock 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