Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY: $68,134 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earns a median $68,134/year (≈ $32.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Louisville/Jefferson County's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $73,204 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Louisville/Jefferson County is projected to reach $68,134 per year, which is slightly above the national median of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in this area spans from $56,380 at the 10th percentile to $78,503 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varying levels of experience, specialization, and work settings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ OEWS surveys highlight that nursing roles within skilled nursing facilities typically command higher pay compared to home health and clinic positions. This pay structure implies an evolving job market in Louisville/Jefferson County, where practical nurses are increasingly vital in long-term care settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,380 | $27.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,008 | $30.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,134 | $32.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,973 | $36.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,503 | $37.75 |
Median Salary Position
0.09% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Louisville/Jefferson County
In Louisville/Jefferson County, KY, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,123 (2026 est.). At $68,134, the local median is 0.09% above the national median of $68,071.
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How Louisville/Jefferson County Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Louisville/Jefferson County median: $68,134/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Louisville/Jefferson County Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $65,263 | +4.40% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +0.09% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earn a median of $68,134 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.09% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 4.40% above the Kentucky state average of $65,263.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Louisville/Jefferson County has a cost of living 6.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY has a cost-of-living index of 93.074 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $68,134 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,204 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.44% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,970
2025 BLS Actual
$64,460
2026 Current Est.
$68,134
2019–2027 Growth
+60.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Louisville/Jefferson County (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,134 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,018 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisville/Jefferson County metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 43.3% from $44,970 (2019) to $64,460 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,018 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,048 (60.15%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisville/Jefferson County 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) | $56,380 – $63,008 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,008 – $68,134 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,134 – $74,973 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,973 – $78,503 |
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 Louisville/Jefferson County
The local job market features roughly 2,850 licensed practical nurses employed, providing a fairly robust environment for prospective LPNs. With a cost of living index of 93.074, which is below the national average, licensed practical nurses can expect their take-home pay to stretch further in everyday expenses. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities generally offer the highest salaries, often referred to as the most lucrative for LPNs. Factors influencing the pay gradient include settings where skilled nursing roles often provide shift differentials and stipends for certifications like IV therapy. Moreover, working weekends or holidays can boost earnings with additional premiums, particularly in long-term care environments. Those aiming to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY, should consider pursuing specialized training or certifications, while also exploring diverse employment options across various healthcare settings.
More salary data for Louisville/Jefferson County, 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 $64,460 for licensed practical nursesin the Louisville/Jefferson County 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