Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Hilo, HI: $77,061 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Hilo, HI earns a median $77,061/year (≈ $37.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Hilo's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $64,594 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hilo, Hawaii, licensed practical nurses can expect a median salary of $77,061 in 2026, representing a competitive pay scale in the healthcare field, especially when compared to the national median of $68,071. Salaries for LPNs in the area range from $62,066 at the 10th percentile to $98,134 at the 90th percentile. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities. The scope of practice regulations in Hawaii allow LPNs to perform various tasks, including IV therapy and patient assessment, which can influence salary levels and job opportunities in Hilo’s specialized healthcare settings.
About the Hilo Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,066 | $29.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,618 | $34.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,061 | $37.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,954 | $43.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,134 | $47.18 |
Median Salary Position
13.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hilo
In Hilo, HI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,068 (2026 est.). At $77,061, the local median is 13.21% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hilo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hilo Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Hilo median: $77,061/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hilo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $81,202 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +13.21% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Hilo, HI earn a median of $77,061 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.21% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 5.10% below the Hawaii state average of $81,202.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hilo has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hilo, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,061 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,594 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,750
2025 BLS Actual
$72,905
2026 Current Est.
$77,061
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Hilo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,267 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,418 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,833 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,618 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,453 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,905 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,061 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,453 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hilo metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $53,750 (2019) to $72,905 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,453 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,703 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hilo 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) | $62,066 – $71,618 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,618 – $77,061 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,061 – $90,954 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,954 – $98,134 |
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 Hilo
The Hilo job market currently supports seven authorized licensed practical nurses, a relatively modest figure that underscores the opportunities available in this niche. With a cost-of-living index of 119.3, purchasing power can feel constrained in Hawaii compared to the national average, making it vital for LPNs to maximize their earnings. The highest-paying opportunities often reside within skilled nursing facilities, long-term care, and some hospitals, particularly those that offer shift differentials or stipends for additional certifications such as IV therapy. Factors that create pay disparity include the specific setting of employment—where skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher wages compared to home health agencies or physician offices—and potential bonuses for weekend or holiday work. To optimize pay, LPNs in Hilo should focus on gaining diverse certifications, seek roles in higher-paying sectors, and explore shift differentials to further enhance their licensed practical nurse pay in Hilo, HI.
More salary data for Hilo, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Hilo?
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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 $72,905 for licensed practical nursesin the Hilo 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 Hilo 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