Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Florida: $65,165 (2026)
💡Quick Answer:Across Florida's 87 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $65,165/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061.Because Florida sits at BEA RPP 100.8 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $64,648 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sarasota ($64,716), Naples ($64,590), West Palm Beach ($64,020).
In Florida, the projected average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in 2026 is $65,165, which is about 4.3% lower than the national median salary of $68,071. The disparity in salaries is notable between cities; for example, LPNs in Sarasota can expect to earn the highest average at $68,405, while those in Panama City earn a lower average of $59,319. This salary gap can be attributed to differences in cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local competition for skilled nursing staff.
Florida's specific licensing requirements mandate that candidates complete an accredited practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN exam to practice. The scope of practice laws in Florida allow LPNs to perform a variety of duties, which can enhance their value in the job market. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.70% for LPN employment, the demand for these professionals is expected to rise due to an aging population and an increasing focus on healthcare delivery.
As of 2026, approximately 37,168 LPNs are employed across the state, suggesting a strong job market. The highest-paying cities, such as Naples at $68,272 and West Palm Beach at $67,669, reflect areas where healthcare facilities are in demand, offering LPNs opportunities for better compensation. Overall, the outlook for LPNs in Florida remains positive, presenting viable career paths across various metro areas.
Florida Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Entry Level (10th %ile)
$53,414
avg across 87 cities
Median
$65,165
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$77,843
avg across 87 cities
Overall salary range in Florida: $46,642 (lowest entry-level) to $90,592 (highest top earner)
Florida vs National Average
Florida
$65,165
National Median
$68,071
Florida licensed practical nurses earn 4.27% less than the national median ($-2,906/year difference).
Florida Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Florida range from $53,414 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $77,843 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,165. The Florida median is $2,906 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $31.33/hr. Approximately 37,168 licensed practical nurses are employed across 87 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,393
2025 BLS Actual
$61,651
2026 Current Est.
$65,165
2019–2027 Growth
+51.7%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Florida (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Year
Annual Salary
Status
2019
$45,393
Actual
2020
$46,383
Actual
2021
$46,860
Actual
2022
$50,115
Actual
2023
$56,475
Actual
2024
$59,998
Actual
2025
$61,651
Actual
2026(current)
$65,165
Estimated
2027
$68,880
Projected
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florida metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.8% from $45,393 (2019) to $61,651 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,880 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,487 (51.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florida 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.
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Florida in 2026?
+
The average median licensed practical nurse salary in Florida is $65,165/year across 87 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $59,319 in Panama City to $68,405 in Sarasota. This makes Florida 4.27% below the national median of $68,071. The state employs approximately 37,168 licensed practical nurses.
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Florida?
+
Sarasota offers the highest licensed practical nurse salary in Florida at $68,405/year ($32.88/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Sarasota ($68,405), Naples ($68,272), West Palm Beach ($67,669). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for nursing services, and competition among employers for licensed licensed practical nurses.
How does Florida licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
+
Florida's average licensed practical nurse salary of $65,165 is 4.27% below the national median of $68,071 in 2026. The state employs approximately 37,168 licensed practical nurses across 87 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Florida?
+
Entry-level licensed practical nurses (10th percentile) in Florida earn approximately $53,414/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $46,642 in lower-paying areas to $58,737 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Florida?
+
Florida employs approximately 37,168 licensed practical nurses across 87 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. This makes Florida one of the larger employers of licensed practical nurses nationally. Demand continues to grow as the nursing field expands and the population ages.
Which Florida city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
+
When adjusted for cost of living, Wildwood offers the highest purchasing power for licensed practical nurses in Florida, with an adjusted salary of $75,355 (nominal: $64,371, CoL index: 85.424). This means your dollar goes 17% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
Statewide 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. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Florida. State averages are employment-weighted across 87 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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).
