Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Centennial, CO: $80,865 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Centennial, CO earns a median $80,865/year (≈ $38.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Centennial's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $77,014 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.2% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurse salaries in Centennial, Colorado, are projected to reach a median annual figure of $80,865, placing local earnings significantly above the national average of $68,071. The salary range for this role spans from $59,512 at the 10th percentile to $110,583 at the 90th percentile, reflecting variations in experience, setting, and additional qualifications. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, adjusted for regional cost of living, which remains elevated compared to the national index. With a notable demand for skilled professionals in wellness and acute care, the employment outlook for licensed practical nurses in Centennial appears robust, underscoring the ongoing need for practitioners proficient in IV therapy and patient assessment.
About the Centennial Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,512 | $28.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,452 | $34.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,865 | $38.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,086 | $45.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,583 | $53.17 |
Median Salary Position
18.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Centennial
In Centennial, CO, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,071 (2026 est.). At $80,865, the local median is 18.8% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Centennial: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Centennial Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Centennial median: $80,865/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Centennial Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $74,052 | +9.20% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +18.80% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Centennial, CO earn a median of $80,865 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.80% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 9.20% above the Colorado state average of $74,052.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Centennial has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Centennial, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,865 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,014 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,404
2025 BLS Actual
$76,504
2026 Current Est.
$80,865
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Centennial (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,404 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,996 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,105 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,886 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,956 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,494 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,504 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,865 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,474 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Centennial metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $56,404 (2019) to $76,504 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,474 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,070 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Centennial 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) | $59,512 – $71,452 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,452 – $80,865 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,865 – $94,086 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,086 – $110,583 |
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 Centennial
The local job market for licensed practical nurses in Centennial comprises just 16 individuals currently employed in the role, highlighting a concentrated workforce in a growing field. The cost-of-living index at 105 indicates that salaries need to be competitive to maintain purchasing power amid rising living costs. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and long-term care settings often offer the highest compensation, primarily due to the complex needs of the resident population. Factors contributing to the variance in salaries include setting type, shift differentials, and potential stipends for advanced skills, such as IV therapy certifications. To maximize earning potential in this market, aspiring licensed practical nurses may benefit from seeking positions in long-term care, pursuing certifications that enhance qualifications, and leveraging opportunities for overtime or weekend shifts, which typically come with higher pay rates.
More salary data for Centennial, CO:
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 $76,504 for licensed practical nursesin the Centennial 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 Centennial 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