Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Gainesville, FL: $63,388 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Gainesville, FL earns a median $63,388/year (≈ $30.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Gainesville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.7), that paycheck buys what $65,529 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Gainesville, Florida, is projected to reach a median annual amount of $63,388, reflecting a competitive market for healthcare professionals in the area. Those in the 10th percentile can expect to earn around $53,685, while the 90th percentile sees salaries rise to $73,567. These figures, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlight the opportunities available for practical nurses in Gainesville, especially when considering shift differentials and weekend premiums that are often factored into long-term care compensation. Consequently, the local market is positioned not only to attract professionals but also to retain them, enhancing the quality of care provided within the community.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,685 | $25.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,807 | $27.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,388 | $30.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,263 | $31.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,567 | $35.37 |
Median Salary Position
6.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gainesville
In Gainesville, FL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,882 (2026 est.). At $63,388, the local median is 6.88% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Gainesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gainesville Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Gainesville median: $63,388/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gainesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $64,223 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -6.88% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Gainesville, FL earn a median of $63,388 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.88% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.30% below the Florida state average of $64,223.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gainesville has a cost of living 3.27% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gainesville, FL has a cost-of-living index of 96.733 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $63,388 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,529 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,840
2025 BLS Actual
$59,970
2026 Current Est.
$63,388
2019–2027 Growth
+43.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Gainesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,388 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,001 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gainesville metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 28.0% from $46,840 (2019) to $59,970 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,001 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,161 (43.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gainesville 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) | $53,685 – $57,807 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,807 – $63,388 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,388 – $66,263 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,263 – $73,567 |
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 Gainesville
Considering the 830 licensed practical nurses currently employed in Gainesville, the area’s favorable cost-of-living index, sitting at 96.733, allows for a promising balance of take-home purchasing power. Notably, skilled nursing facilities and long-term care sectors often pay the highest wages, outpacing home health agencies and physician offices. Factors influencing pay disparities include the setting of employment—where skilled nursing typically commands higher salaries—as well as additional incentives such as shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and premiums for weekend and holiday shifts. For those looking to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in Gainesville, FL, actively pursuing opportunities in settings that offer higher compensation and exploring positions that include additional benefits can lead to a more rewarding career trajectory.
More salary data for Gainesville, FL:
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 $59,970 for licensed practical nursesin the Gainesville 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
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).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov