Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Covington, KY: $64,424 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Covington, KY earns a median $64,424/year (≈ $30.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Covington's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $72,143 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a licensed practical nurse salary in Covington, KY, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $64,424, which is slightly below the national median of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in the area spans from $50,715 at the bottom 10th percentile to $78,383 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data, reflect local compensation adjusted for the regional cost of living. With Kentucky's scope of practice rules allowing for IV therapy and comprehensive patient assessment, LPNs can leverage these skills to negotiate their wages effectively. Covington's healthcare job market, while smaller with only 9 licensed practical nurses currently employed, presents opportunities driven by a mixture of settings, including skilled nursing and home health organizations.
About the Covington Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($51,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,715 | $24.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,008 | $28.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,424 | $30.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,809 | $35.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,383 | $37.68 |
Median Salary Position
5.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Covington
In Covington, KY, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,668 (2026 est.). At $64,424, the local median is 5.36% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Covington: You'd be above the median
How Covington Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Covington median: $64,424/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Covington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $65,273 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -5.36% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Covington, KY earn a median of $64,424 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.36% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.30% below the Kentucky state average of $65,273.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Covington 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.
Covington, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $64,424 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,143 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,936
2025 BLS Actual
$60,950
2026 Current Est.
$64,424
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Covington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,936 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,205 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,495 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,694 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,938 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,424 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,096 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Covington metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $44,936 (2019) to $60,950 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,096 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,160 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Covington 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) | $50,715 – $59,008 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,008 – $64,424 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,424 – $73,809 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,809 – $78,383 |
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 Covington
Analyzing the local job market, Covington's cost of living index is at 89.3, indicating that take-home pay may stretch further than in more expensive areas. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest compensation, while home health agencies generally pay less. The variance in licensed practical nurse pay in Covington, KY, often arises from factors such as different care settings, overtime rates, and additional stipends for specialized certifications like IV therapy. To maximize earnings, LPNs should consider pursuing opportunities in long-term care environments, which often offer shift differentials and holiday premiums. Networking with local employers and continuing education can also provide pathways to competitive pay and career advancement in a market transitioning toward more RN-focused staffing models.
More salary data for Covington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Covington?
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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 $60,950 for licensed practical nursesin the Covington 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 Covington 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