Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Bloomington, IN: $66,802 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Bloomington, IN earns a median $66,802/year (≈ $32.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.1), that paycheck buys what $70,256 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bloomington, Indiana, licensed practical nurses can expect a median annual salary of $66,802 in 2026. This figure represents a competitive pay landscape within the local healthcare sector, especially as the salary range extends from $54,583 at the 10th percentile to $78,641 at the 90th percentile. These estimations come from reliable data sources based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The existence of shift differentials and weekend premiums in long-term care settings contributes significantly to these earnings, allowing LPNs to enhance their income while providing essential services to the community. Overall, the demand for skilled nursing in Bloomington ensures a solid market for licensed practical nurses.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,583 | $26.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,513 | $29.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,802 | $32.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,368 | $36.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,641 | $37.81 |
Median Salary Position
1.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, IN, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,058 (2026 est.). At $66,802, the local median is 1.86% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be above the median
How Bloomington Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $66,802/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $68,656 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -1.86% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Bloomington, IN earn a median of $66,802 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.86% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.70% below the Indiana state average of $68,656.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 4.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, IN has a cost-of-living index of 95.084 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $66,802 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,256 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,980
2025 BLS Actual
$63,200
2026 Current Est.
$66,802
2019–2027 Growth
+57.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,802 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,610 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 40.5% from $44,980 (2019) to $63,200 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,610 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,630 (56.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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) | $54,583 – $60,513 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,513 – $66,802 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,802 – $76,368 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,368 – $78,641 |
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 Bloomington
The local job market for licensed practical nurses in Bloomington supports approximately 310 professionals, providing ample opportunities for employment. With a cost-of-living index of 95.084—lower than the national average—this environment allows LPNs to maintain considerable purchasing power from their salaries. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest salaries, followed closely by home health agencies and hospitals. Factors contributing to the disparity in pay include settings that require specialized skills, such as IV therapy or charge responsibilities, as well as potential stipends for weekend and holiday shifts. LPNs seeking to maximize their pay may consider pursuing certifications that elevate their qualifications or targeting positions within higher-paying facilities, ensuring they capitalize on the competitive healthcare climate in Bloomington, IN.
More salary data for Bloomington, IN:
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 $63,200 for licensed practical nursesin the Bloomington 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