Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Van Buren, AR: $55,061 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Van Buren, AR earns a median $55,061/year (≈ $26.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Van Buren's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $63,361 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Van Buren, Arkansas, can expect a median annual salary of $55,061, which represents a considerable deviation from the national median of $68,071 for LPNs. The salary range for this position in the area spans from $46,625 at the 10th percentile to $69,035 at the 90th percentile. These figures are adjusted to account for local economic conditions and cost of living, with projections based on the 2025 BLS data. The unique scope-of-practice requirements for Arkansas LPNs, which include responsibilities such as IV therapy and patient assessment, can also influence compensation levels, contributing to Van Buren’s competitive job market for practical nursing.
About the Van Buren Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($47,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,625 | $22.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,610 | $25.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,061 | $26.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,482 | $31.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,035 | $33.19 |
Median Salary Position
19.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Van Buren
In Van Buren, AR, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,410 (2026 est.). At $55,061, the local median is 19.11% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Van Buren: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Van Buren Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Van Buren median: $55,061/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Van Buren Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $59,333 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -19.11% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Van Buren, AR earn a median of $55,061 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.11% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.20% below the Arkansas state average of $59,333.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Van Buren 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.
Van Buren, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $55,061 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,361 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,406
2025 BLS Actual
$52,092
2026 Current Est.
$55,061
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Van Buren (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,406 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,883 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,181 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,315 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,912 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,092 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,061 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,200 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Van Buren metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $38,406 (2019) to $52,092 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,200 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,794 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Van Buren 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) | $46,625 – $52,610 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,610 – $55,061 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,061 – $64,482 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,482 – $69,035 |
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 Van Buren
Employment opportunities remain modest in the area, with only five licensed practical nurses currently working in Van Buren. The cost of living index stands at 86.9, indicating that the overall purchasing power for LPNs in this city is better than in many regions across the country. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and long-term care settings tend to offer higher wages compared to home health agencies and physician offices, with potential for increased pay through shift differentials and weekend premiums. Strategies for maximizing earning potential include pursuing IV therapy certification and seeking employment in higher-paying facilities, enabling practical nurses to enhance their overall compensation in Van Buren AR.
More salary data for Van Buren, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Van Buren, AR in 2026?
Is Van Buren, AR a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Van Buren?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Van Buren?
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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 $52,092 for licensed practical nursesin the Van Buren 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 Van Buren 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