Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Idaho: $68,369 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Idaho's 16 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $68,369/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Idaho sits at BEA RPP 95.3 (5% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,741 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boise City ($66,950), Lewiston ($66,440), Boise ($66,370).
In 2026, the average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Idaho is projected to be $68,369, slightly above the national median of $68,071, reflecting a positive variance of +0.4%. Boise City leads Idaho's cities with the highest salary for LPNs at $70,766, while Pocatello offers the lowest at $63,124. This $7,642 salary gap can be attributed to various factors including cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the availability of healthcare facilities in each area. Idaho has specific licensing requirements for LPNs, including completing an accredited program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. The state's scope of practice laws give LPNs a diverse range of responsibilities, contributing to the demand for their services. Factors such as an aging population, an increase in healthcare facilities, and a projected annual growth rate of 5.70% for LPN positions highlight a strengthening job market in Idaho. With a total of 1,725 employed LPNs, the job outlook appears promising, especially in key cities like Lewiston, Coeur d'Alene, and Nampa, where salaries also demonstrate competitiveness: Lewiston at $70,227, Boise at $70,153, Coeur d'Alene at $69,910, and Nampa at $69,622. Overall, the combination of favorable salaries and growth opportunities makes Idaho a viable state for pursuing a career as a licensed practical nurse.
Idaho Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Idaho: $28,423 (lowest entry-level) to $93,429 (highest top earner)
Idaho vs National Average
Idaho licensed practical nurses earn 0.44% more than the national median (+$298/year difference).
Idaho Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Idaho range from $51,082 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $82,872 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $68,369. The Idaho median is $298 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $32.87/hr. Approximately 1,725 licensed practical nurses are employed across 16 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,752
2025 BLS Actual
$64,682
2026 Current Est.
$68,369
2019–2027 Growth
+58.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Idaho (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,752 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,244 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,421 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,502 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,889 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,747 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,682 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,369 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,266 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Idaho metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 41.4% from $45,752 (2019) to $64,682 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,266 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,514 (57.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Idaho 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Idaho
Lowest Paying Cities in Idaho
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Pocatello | $63,124 |
| Idaho Falls | $63,705 |
| Mountain Home | $63,815 |
| Eagle | $64,450 |
| Post Falls | $65,053 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Idaho
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Idaho cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston | $70,227 | 91.16 | $77,037 |
| Boise | $70,153 | 95.3 | $73,613 |
| Nampa | $69,622 | 95.3 | $73,056 |
| Boise City | $70,766 | 98.391 | $71,923 |
| Caldwell | $68,211 | 95.3 | $71,575 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Idaho
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $51,082 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $68,369 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $82,872 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Idaho metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 16 Cities in Idaho
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boise City | $70,766 |
| 2 | Lewiston | $70,227 |
| 3 | Boise | $70,153 |
| 4 | Coeur d'Alene | $69,910 |
| 5 | Nampa | $69,622 |
| 6 | Caldwell | $68,211 |
| 7 | Meridian | $67,932 |
| 8 | Rexburg | $67,043 |
| 9 | Moscow | $65,989 |
| 10 | Kuna | $65,453 |
| 11 | Twin Falls | $65,449 |
| 12 | Post Falls | $65,053 |
| 13 | Eagle | $64,450 |
| 14 | Mountain Home | $63,815 |
| 15 | Idaho Falls | $63,705 |
| 16 | Pocatello | $63,124 |
More Idaho Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Idaho cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Idaho in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Idaho?
How does Idaho licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Idaho?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Idaho?
Which Idaho city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Idaho. State averages are employment-weighted across 16 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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