Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Meriden, CT: $77,034 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Meriden, CT earns a median $77,034/year (≈ $37.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Meriden's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $71,394 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Meriden is projected to reach an annual median of $77,034, outperforming the national median of $68,071 by 13.17%. This local estimate, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, indicates a salary range from $62,520 at the 10th percentile to $96,550 at the 90th percentile. Factors influencing these figures include the type of healthcare setting; skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher wages compared to home health agencies and physician offices. As such, the structure of nursing employment in Meriden indicates that LPNs seeking roles in long-term care or specialized services may find more lucrative opportunities.
About the Meriden Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,520 | $30.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,265 | $34.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,034 | $37.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,330 | $42.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,550 | $46.41 |
Median Salary Position
13.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Meriden
In Meriden, CT, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,030 (2026 est.). At $77,034, the local median is 13.17% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Meriden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Meriden Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Meriden median: $77,034/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Meriden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $78,049 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +13.17% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Meriden, CT earn a median of $77,034 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.17% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.30% below the Connecticut state average of $78,049.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Meriden has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Meriden, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,034 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,394 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,732
2025 BLS Actual
$72,880
2026 Current Est.
$77,034
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Meriden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,732 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,248 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,812 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,595 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,307 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,034 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,425 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Meriden metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $53,732 (2019) to $72,880 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,425 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,693 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Meriden 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) | $62,520 – $72,265 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,265 – $77,034 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,034 – $89,330 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,330 – $96,550 |
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 Meriden
Currently, there are only 12 licensed practical nurses employed in Meriden, which suggests a concentrated job market for this profession. The cost of living in the area, reflected by a higher index of 107.9, means that take-home pay can be stretched more thinly despite attractive salaries. Larger employers, particularly skilled nursing facilities, tend to provide the highest salaries, aided by essential certifications and shift differentials. This means LPNs can maximize their earning potential by targeting such positions, especially those offering weekend or holiday premiums. Pursuing additional qualifications such as IV therapy certification can further enhance marketability and earnings. With a projected growth rate of 5.70% annually for LPN positions, those entering or currently working in the field can expect a favorable job outlook in Meriden, CT.
More salary data for Meriden, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Meriden?
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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 $72,880 for licensed practical nursesin the Meriden 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 Meriden 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