Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Palm Bay, FL: $64,477 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Palm Bay, FL earns a median $64,477/year (≈ $31.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Palm Bay's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.0), that paycheck buys what $64,474 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nursing positions in Palm Bay, Florida, offer a median annual salary of $64,477, reflecting the area's unique healthcare environment. With a salary range from $52,945 at the entry-level to $77,034 for more experienced practitioners, these figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. The compensation landscape is influenced by the choice between skilled nursing facilities, home health, and outpatient clinics, each offering different pay structures. Overall, the pay for licensed practical nurses in Palm Bay FL lags slightly behind the national median of $68,071, suggesting a specific local context that shapes employment opportunities and compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,945 | $25.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,570 | $29.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,477 | $31.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,623 | $32.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,034 | $37.04 |
Median Salary Position
5.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palm Bay
In Palm Bay, FL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,089 (2026 est.). At $64,477, the local median is 5.28% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palm Bay: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Palm Bay Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Palm Bay median: $64,477/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palm Bay Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $64,220 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -5.28% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Palm Bay, FL earn a median of $64,477 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.28% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.40% above the Florida state average of $64,220.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palm Bay has a cost of living 0.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palm Bay, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.005 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,477 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,474 — a 0% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,140
2025 BLS Actual
$61,000
2026 Current Est.
$64,477
2019–2027 Growth
+54.4%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Palm Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,477 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,152 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palm Bay metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 38.2% from $44,140 (2019) to $61,000 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,152 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,012 (54.40%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palm Bay 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) | $52,945 – $61,570 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,570 – $64,477 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,477 – $66,623 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,623 – $77,034 |
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 Palm Bay
With approximately 1,120 licensed practical nurses currently employed in Palm Bay, the local job market reflects a demanding yet rewarding environment. The cost of living index, slightly above the national average at 100.005, impacts take-home pay, emphasizing the importance of considering overall financial well-being. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer higher salaries compared to home health agencies, due in part to the complex care required in long-term settings. Factors such as shift differentials, weekend and holiday premiums, and potential stipends for specialized IV therapy certifications significantly influence salary variations. To maximize earning potential in this Palm Bay market, aspiring LPNs might consider targeting positions in long-term care, seeking out shifts that provide premium pay, while also exploring LPN-to-RN bridge programs to expand their opportunities and professional growth.
More salary data for Palm Bay, 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 $61,000 for licensed practical nursesin the Palm Bay 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