Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Key West, FL: $63,280 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Key West, FL earns a median $63,280/year (≈ $30.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Key West's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $62,778 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Key West, Florida is projected to reach a median annual figure of $63,280, which falls short of the national median of $68,071 by approximately 7.04%. The pay range for licensed practical nurses in Key West varies significantly, from $49,398 at the lower end (P10) to $76,972 at the upper end (P90). These salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflect adjustments for regional economic factors, indicating a cost of living slightly above the national average with a CoL index of 100.8. As the demand for skilled nursing continues to evolve, particularly in long-term care settings, the compensation for LPNs is influenced by their specific workplace environments, such as skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and clinics.
About the Key West Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,398 | $23.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,850 | $27.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,280 | $30.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,660 | $35.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,972 | $37.01 |
Median Salary Position
7.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Key West
In Key West, FL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,574 (2026 est.). At $63,280, the local median is 7.04% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Key West: You'd be above the median
How Key West Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Key West median: $63,280/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Key West Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $64,244 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -7.04% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Key West, FL earn a median of $63,280 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.04% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.50% below the Florida state average of $64,244.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Key West has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Key West, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,280 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,778 — a 0.79% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$44,139
2025 BLS Actual
$59,868
2026 Current Est.
$63,280
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Key West (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,139 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,384 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,687 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,776 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,527 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,626 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,868 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,280 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,887 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Key West metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $44,139 (2019) to $59,868 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,887 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,748 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Key West 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) | $49,398 – $57,850 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,850 – $63,280 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,280 – $73,660 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,660 – $76,972 |
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 Key West
The local job market for licensed practical nurses in Key West is relatively small, with only four LPNs currently employed in the area. This limited workforce suggests potential competition for positions, which may impact salary negotiations. Given the cost-of-living index of 100.8, LPNs may find that their take-home purchasing power does not stretch as far as it would in other regions. Employers providing the highest wages typically include skilled nursing facilities and long-term care centers, where the structure of pay often accommodates added shift differentials and premium pay for weekend or holiday shifts. To maximize earning potential, practical nursing professionals in Key West should consider specializing in areas such as IV therapy certification or pursuing roles in higher-compensated settings. Engaging in further education, such as LPN-to-RN bridge programs or gaining experience in healthcare environments with varied patient care needs, can also enhance salary prospects over time.
More salary data for Key West, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Key West, FL in 2026?
Is Key West, FL a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Key West?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Key West?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Key West?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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 $59,868 for licensed practical nursesin the Key West 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 Key West 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