Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Meridian, ID: $67,932 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Meridian, ID earns a median $67,932/year (≈ $32.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Meridian's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $71,282 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Licensed practical nurses in Meridian, Idaho, can expect a median annual salary of $67,932 in 2026. This figure places the local pay slightly below the national median of $68,071, while the salary range spans from $53,617 at the 10th percentile to $90,592 at the 90th percentile. Licensed practical nurses often have varying roles in skilled nursing facilities, home health settings, and clinics, with compensation reflecting these structural choices. The data, derived from BLS state-level sources and adjusted for local cost variations, suggests that the demand for LPNs will continue in Meridian due to an aging population and the need for care across diverse environments.
About the Meridian Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,617 | $25.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,821 | $30.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,932 | $32.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,329 | $38.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,592 | $43.56 |
Median Salary Position
0.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Meridian
In Meridian, ID, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,975 (2026 est.). At $67,932, the local median is 0.2% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Meridian: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Meridian Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Meridian median: $67,932/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Meridian Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $67,662 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -0.20% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Meridian, ID earn a median of $67,932 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.20% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.40% above the Idaho state average of $67,662.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Meridian has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Meridian, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $67,932 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,282 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,383
2025 BLS Actual
$64,269
2026 Current Est.
$67,932
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Meridian (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,383 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,721 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,972 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,509 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,608 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,567 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,269 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,932 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,804 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Meridian metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $47,383 (2019) to $64,269 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,804 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,421 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Meridian 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) | $53,617 – $62,821 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,821 – $67,932 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,932 – $79,329 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,329 – $90,592 |
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 Meridian
In Meridian, the local job market supports approximately 30 licensed practical nurses, which presents a modest yet competitive landscape. With a cost-of-living index of 95.3, LPNs enjoy a favorable purchasing power compared to many urban counterparts, allowing their salaries to stretch further. Among the different employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher wages compared to home health agencies or physician offices, primarily bolstered by shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and additional pay for weekend or holiday shifts. To maximize earnings, LPNs in Meridian might consider certifications that enhance their skill set or seek employment in long-term care settings, where the demand for practical nursing skills is robust. With a projected growth rate of 5.70%, individuals entering this field can expect a positive outlook for job opportunities and wage increases.
More salary data for Meridian, ID:
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 $64,269 for licensed practical nursesin the Meridian 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 Meridian 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