Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Ashland, KY: $58,343 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Ashland, KY earns a median $58,343/year (≈ $28.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Ashland's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $65,334 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.6% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
A licensed practical nurse salary in Ashland, KY, is projected to reach a median of $58,343 in 2026. This figure sits notably below the national average, indicating the regional pay scales influenced by local demand for skilled nursing, home health, and clinic settings. The salary range extends from $46,623 at the 10th percentile to $70,359 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences, providing a clearer understanding of what licensed practical nurses can expect in this area. The dynamics of the job market in Ashland reflect a consistent demand for nursing professionals, particularly in long-term care facilities, which tend to offer better compensation compared to home health agencies and physician offices.
About the Ashland Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($51,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,623 | $22.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,909 | $25.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,343 | $28.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,599 | $32.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,359 | $33.82 |
Median Salary Position
14.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ashland
In Ashland, KY, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,736 (2026 est.). At $58,343, the local median is 14.29% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ashland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ashland Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Ashland median: $58,343/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ashland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $65,261 | -10.60% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -14.29% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Ashland, KY earn a median of $58,343 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.29% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 10.60% below the Kentucky state average of $65,261.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ashland has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ashland, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $58,343 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,334 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,695
2025 BLS Actual
$55,197
2026 Current Est.
$58,343
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Ashland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,695 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,843 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,201 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,815 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,194 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,326 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,197 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,343 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,669 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ashland metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $40,695 (2019) to $55,197 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,669 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,974 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ashland 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) | $46,623 – $53,909 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,909 – $58,343 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,343 – $66,599 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,599 – $70,359 |
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 Ashland
Looking more closely at the local job market, only four licensed practical nurses currently work in Ashland, highlighting a relatively small yet focused employment base. With a cost-of-living index of 89.3, living expenses are below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of LPNs in the area despite lower salaries compared to national figures. Facilities like skilled nursing homes generally offer the best pay, driven by their need for continuous care. The disparity in wages can be attributed to factors such as shift differentials, certifications like IV therapy, and premiums for weekend and holiday shifts. For LPNs aiming to maximize their earnings in Ashland, seeking positions in long-term care and considering additional certifications or specializations can be advantageous. Pursuing shifts that include additional bonuses for difficult hours or specialized duties will further help in elevating the licensed practical nurse pay in Ashland, KY.
More salary data for Ashland, KY:
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 $55,197 for licensed practical nursesin the Ashland 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 Ashland 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