Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Paducah, KY: $65,597 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Paducah, KY earns a median $65,597/year (≈ $31.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Paducah's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.1), that paycheck buys what $76,201 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Paducah, Kentucky, can expect to earn a median salary of $65,597, reflecting a competitive market despite being slightly below the national median of $68,071. Salary ranges for LPNs in the area vary considerably, spanning from $53,643 at the 10th percentile to $68,990 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. The local job market includes positions in skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and outpatient clinics, each contributing to distinct pay scales that reflect the unique demands and work environments associated with these settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,643 | $25.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,385 | $27.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,597 | $31.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,380 | $31.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,990 | $33.17 |
Median Salary Position
3.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paducah
In Paducah, KY, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,347 (2026 est.). At $65,597, the local median is 3.63% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Paducah: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Paducah Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Paducah median: $65,597/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paducah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $65,271 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -3.63% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Paducah, KY earn a median of $65,597 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.63% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.50% above the Kentucky state average of $65,271.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paducah has a cost of living 13.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Paducah, KY has a cost-of-living index of 86.084 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,597 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,201 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,755
2025 BLS Actual
$62,060
2026 Current Est.
$65,597
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Paducah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,755 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,046 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,323 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,635 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,597 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,336 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paducah metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $45,755 (2019) to $62,060 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,336 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,581 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paducah 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) | $53,643 – $57,385 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,385 – $65,597 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,597 – $66,380 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,380 – $68,990 |
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 Paducah
The employment landscape for licensed practical nurses in Paducah consists of approximately 300 LPNs, offering a stable foundation for job seekers in this profession. With a cost of living index of 86.084—significantly lower than the national average—LPNs may find that their take-home pay allows for comfortable living in the region. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer higher wages due to the complexities of long-term care, while home health agencies often present more variable compensation structures. Factors influencing the disparity in pay encompass shift differentials, specialty training such as IV therapy certification, and extra compensation for weekend shifts in long-term care settings. To maximize earnings, LPNs should consider roles in skilled nursing and pursue certifications that enhance their value within the community. Exploring employment opportunities across diverse healthcare environments can also lead to better compensation packages.
More salary data for Paducah, 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 $62,060 for licensed practical nursesin the Paducah 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, 2-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