Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Waipahu, HI: $79,575 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Waipahu, HI earns a median $79,575/year (≈ $38.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Waipahu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $66,702 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Waipahu, HI, can expect an annual median salary of $79,575, which exceeds the national median of $68,071 by approximately 16.90%. The local salary range is projected to fall between $61,718 at the 10th percentile and $103,646 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and responsibility within the field. This financial outlook is influenced by the state’s LPN scope-of-practice rules, which allow licensed practical nurses to perform tasks such as IV therapy and patient assessments, potentially enhancing their earning potential. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, providing a more accurate representation of what licensed practical nurses can earn in this specific market.
About the Waipahu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,718 | $29.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,203 | $34.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,575 | $38.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,385 | $43.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,646 | $49.83 |
Median Salary Position
16.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waipahu
In Waipahu, HI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,928 (2026 est.). At $79,575, the local median is 16.9% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waipahu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waipahu Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Waipahu median: $79,575/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waipahu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $81,199 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +16.90% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Waipahu, HI earn a median of $79,575 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.90% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $81,199.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waipahu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waipahu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,575 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,702 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,504
2025 BLS Actual
$75,284
2026 Current Est.
$79,575
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Waipahu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,504 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,071 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,194 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,851 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,825 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,817 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,284 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,575 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,111 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waipahu metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $55,504 (2019) to $75,284 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,111 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,607 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waipahu 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) | $61,718 – $72,203 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,203 – $79,575 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,575 – $90,385 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,385 – $103,646 |
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 Waipahu
A total of nine licensed practical nurses are currently employed in Waipahu, indicating a tightly-knit job market that may limit entry-level opportunities. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 119.3, the high living expenses can significantly impact the purchasing power of LPN salaries in this area. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most competitive rates, followed by home health agencies and physician offices. The disparities in salaries can stem from different settings, charge LPN pay, and available premium opportunities such as weekend shifts or IV therapy certification stipends. Maximizing earnings in Waipahu may include targeting long-term care positions that provide shifts with differential pay, as well as seeking additional certifications that align with the state's policies on scope of practice. Understanding these dynamics is vital for aspiring licensed practical nurses looking to establish their careers in the area.
More salary data for Waipahu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Waipahu, HI in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Waipahu?
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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 $75,284 for licensed practical nursesin the Waipahu 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 Waipahu 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