Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Lafayette, LA: $54,520 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Lafayette, LA earns a median $54,520/year (≈ $26.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $62,516 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, the projected salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in 2026 is set at $54,520 annually, reflecting the dynamics of the healthcare job market. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $68,071, indicating that LPNs in Lafayette earn approximately 19.91% less than their peers nationwide. The salary range for this occupation in the area spans from $44,087 at the 10th percentile to $65,819 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a substantial disparity based on experience, skills, and employer settings. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, emphasizes the pay implications of varying employment structures. In Lafayette, LPNs often find roles in skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and clinics, with pay differences influenced by the specific nature of these jobs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,087 | $21.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,017 | $24.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,520 | $26.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,570 | $29.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,819 | $31.65 |
Median Salary Position
19.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, LA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,732 (2026 est.). At $54,520, the local median is 19.91% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lafayette Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $54,520/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $58,750 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -19.91% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Lafayette, LA earn a median of $54,520 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.91% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.20% below the Louisiana state average of $58,750.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, LA has a cost-of-living index of 87.209 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $54,520 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,516 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,690
2025 BLS Actual
$51,580
2026 Current Est.
$54,520
2019–2027 Growth
+52.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,520 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,628 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 36.9% from $37,690 (2019) to $51,580 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,628 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,938 (52.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $44,087 – $50,017 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,017 – $54,520 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,520 – $61,570 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,570 – $65,819 |
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 Lafayette
With around 2,100 licensed practical nurses currently employed in Lafayette, the local job market reflects a significant demand for nursing professionals. The cost of living index in Lafayette stands at 87.209, highlighting a below-average cost environment that can enhance overall take-home purchasing power. Among the highest-paying employers are skilled nursing facilities and specific hospitals, where LPNs who attain special certifications, such as IV therapy, can leverage these skills for increased compensation. Factors contributing to the pay variations include work settings—skilled nursing typically offers higher wages compared to home health and physician offices—as well as shift differentials and weekend premiums. For those in the licensed practical nurse role looking to maximize their earnings in Lafayette, pursuing certifications and seeking positions in long-term care or facilities that offer additional stipends can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Lafayette?
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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 $51,580 for licensed practical nursesin the Lafayette 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