Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Pine Bluff, AR: $57,900 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Pine Bluff, AR earns a median $57,900/year (≈ $27.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Pine Bluff's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $66,628 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $57,900. This is notably lower than the national median of $68,071, reflecting regional differences in LPN scope-of-practice, including responsibilities like IV therapy and patient assessment, which can influence local wage levels. The salary range for LPNs in Pine Bluff varies significantly, with the lowest earners (P10) making about $44,472, while the highest (P90) can earn up to $74,830. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living conditions, which can impact overall compensation. Understanding these local market dynamics is essential for LPNs seeking to maximize their earning potential in the area.
About the Pine Bluff Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($47,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,472 | $21.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,259 | $25.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,900 | $27.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,963 | $33.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,830 | $35.98 |
Median Salary Position
14.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pine Bluff
In Pine Bluff, AR, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,358 (2026 est.). At $57,900, the local median is 14.94% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pine Bluff: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pine Bluff Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Pine Bluff median: $57,900/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pine Bluff Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $59,324 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -14.94% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Pine Bluff, AR earn a median of $57,900 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.94% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.40% below the Arkansas state average of $59,324.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pine Bluff has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pine Bluff, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $57,900 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,628 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,600
2025 BLS Actual
$54,778
2026 Current Est.
$57,900
2019–2027 Growth
+67.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Pine Bluff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,867 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,778 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,900 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,201 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pine Bluff metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 49.7% from $36,600 (2019) to $54,778 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,201 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,601 (67.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pine Bluff 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) | $44,472 – $52,259 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,259 – $57,900 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,900 – $68,963 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,963 – $74,830 |
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 Pine Bluff
The local job market for licensed practical nurses in Pine Bluff is relatively small, with only eight LPNs currently employed in the region. Collaboratively, the cost of living index stands at 86.9, suggesting that the purchasing power of salaries is somewhat favorable compared to national averages. Among the various healthcare employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest wages, surpassing other settings such as home health agencies and physician offices. The variation in pay is driven by work settings, with skilled nursing often providing opportunities for shift differentials and premium pay for weekends and holidays. Additionally, those with IV therapy certifications may command higher wages, on top of the ongoing demand for care in long-term facilities. For LPNs in Pine Bluff to enhance their earning capacity, pursuing certifications and seeking roles in more lucrative environments, like skilled nursing, is advisable.
More salary data for Pine Bluff, 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 $54,778 for licensed practical nursesin the Pine Bluff 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 Pine Bluff 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