Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Lakeland, FL: $63,357 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Lakeland, FL earns a median $63,357/year (≈ $30.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Lakeland's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $65,222 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Lakeland, Florida will experience a median annual salary of $63,357, slightly below the national average of $68,071. The salary range for this profession is projected to fall between $48,738 for the lowest 10% of earners and $74,487 for the highest 90%. These figures are derived from comprehensive surveys conducted as part of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. Factors contributing to salary differences include shift differentials, additional pay for weekend or holiday work, and the specific type of healthcare setting where LPNs are employed. As long-term care facilities remain a primary employer for LPNs in Lakeland, understanding these dynamics can provide insights into the area's nursing job market and its compensation landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,738 | $23.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,249 | $26.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,357 | $30.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,798 | $31.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,487 | $35.81 |
Median Salary Position
6.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakeland
In Lakeland, FL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,749 (2026 est.). At $63,357, the local median is 6.93% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Lakeland: You'd be above the median
How Lakeland Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Lakeland median: $63,357/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakeland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $64,191 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -6.93% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Lakeland, FL earn a median of $63,357 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.93% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.30% below the Florida state average of $64,191.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakeland has a cost of living 2.86% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakeland, FL has a cost-of-living index of 97.141 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $63,357 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,222 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,480
2025 BLS Actual
$59,940
2026 Current Est.
$63,357
2019–2027 Growth
+57.6%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Lakeland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,357 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,968 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakeland metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 41.1% from $42,480 (2019) to $59,940 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,968 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,488 (57.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakeland 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) | $48,738 – $55,249 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,249 – $63,357 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,357 – $65,798 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,798 – $74,487 |
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 Lakeland
The local job market for licensed practical nurses in Lakeland is robust, with approximately 1,310 LPNs currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 97.141, indicating that living expenses are slightly below the national average, which may enhance the purchasing power of nursing salaries. Among healthcare employers, skilled nursing facilities generally offer the highest pay, followed by home health agencies, while physician offices and assisted living communities tend to provide lower wages. Factors influencing this pay variation include the specific settings where LPNs work, the availability of weekend premiums, and specialized skills such as IV therapy certification. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Lakeland, pursuing opportunities in long-term care and seeking positions that offer shift differentials or charge LPN roles can be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Lakeland, 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 $59,940 for licensed practical nursesin the Lakeland 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