Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Tampa, FL: $66,052 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Tampa, FL earns a median $66,052/year (≈ $31.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Tampa's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $65,469 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tampa, Florida, the projected median annual salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in 2026 is $66,052, which represents a slight decline of 2.97% when compared to the national median of $68,071. Salaries can range significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $53,632 and the highest 90% reaching up to $78,979. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect the competitive landscape for LPNs in the area, particularly considering Florida's unique scope-of-practice rules. In Tampa, LPNs can perform tasks such as IV therapy and comprehensive patient assessments, which can positively influence their earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,632 | $25.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,712 | $30.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,052 | $31.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,240 | $32.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,979 | $37.97 |
Median Salary Position
2.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tampa
In Tampa, FL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,347 (2026 est.). At $66,052, the local median is 2.97% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tampa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tampa Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Tampa median: $66,052/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tampa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $64,253 | +2.80% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -2.97% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Tampa, FL earn a median of $66,052 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.97% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.80% above the Florida state average of $64,253.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tampa has a cost of living 0.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tampa, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,052 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $65,469 — a 0.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,450
2025 BLS Actual
$62,490
2026 Current Est.
$66,052
2019–2027 Growth
+53.6%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Tampa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,052 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,817 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tampa metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 37.5% from $45,450 (2019) to $62,490 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,817 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,367 (53.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tampa 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) | $53,632 – $62,712 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,712 – $66,052 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,052 – $68,240 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,240 – $78,979 |
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 Tampa
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Tampa appears robust, with approximately 5,870 positions filled in the area. However, it's essential to consider the local cost of living, reflected in the index of 100.89, which is slightly above the national average. This higher cost can affect take-home pay substantially, particularly for those who work in lower-paying environments like physician offices or home health agencies. Skilled nursing facilities and long-term care settings tend to offer higher wages, often driven by shift differentials, IV therapy stipends, and premium pay for weekend and holiday shifts. To maximize earnings in Tampa's market, aspiring or current LPNs should consider gaining additional certifications, particularly in specialized areas like IV therapy, and seek positions in facilities that are known to pay competitively, such as hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.
More salary data for Tampa, 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 $62,490 for licensed practical nursesin the Tampa 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