Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Ruston, LA: $56,514 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Ruston, LA earns a median $56,514/year (≈ $27.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Ruston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $62,585 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ruston, Louisiana, the compensation for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) is shaped significantly by the state's favorable scope-of-practice rules, especially in areas such as IV therapy and patient assessment. With a projected median annual salary of $56,514 in 2026, LPNs in this region earn notably less than the national median of $68,071, reflecting a difference of about 16.98%. The salary range for licensed practical nurse pay in Ruston, LA, spans from $46,461 at the lower end (P10) to $69,317 at the higher end (P90), indicating a diverse job market. These estimates derive from BLS state-level data and regional price parities, offering insights into local economic conditions. For those considering a career as an LPN in this area, understanding these figures provides a clear picture of the financial landscape.
About the Ruston Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,461 | $22.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,985 | $25.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,514 | $27.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,232 | $31.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,317 | $33.33 |
Median Salary Position
16.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ruston
In Ruston, LA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,856 (2026 est.). At $56,514, the local median is 16.98% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ruston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ruston Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Ruston median: $56,514/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ruston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $58,746 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -16.98% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Ruston, LA earn a median of $56,514 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.98% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $58,746.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ruston has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ruston, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $56,514 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,585 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,419
2025 BLS Actual
$53,466
2026 Current Est.
$56,514
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Ruston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,419 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,531 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,909 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,346 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,589 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,417 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,466 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,514 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,735 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ruston metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $39,419 (2019) to $53,466 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,735 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,316 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ruston 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) | $46,461 – $52,985 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,985 – $56,514 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,514 – $65,232 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,232 – $69,317 |
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 Ruston
With only four licensed practical nurses currently employed in Ruston, the local job market presents both opportunities and challenges. The cost-of-living index stands at 90.3, which is below the national average, meaning LPNs may find their take-home pay offers a reasonable purchasing power in the area. Among potential employers, skilled nursing facilities and long-term care settings typically offer the highest compensation, while home health agencies and physician offices tend to pay less. Variations in pay are driven by several factors, including work setting, shift differentials, and specialty certifications like IV therapy, which can result in stipends or higher hourly rates. Those looking to maximize their potential earnings should focus on securing positions in skilled nursing and pursuing additional certifications or working necessary weekend and holiday shifts, which often come with premium wages. Ruston’s LPN market may be small, but it holds viable prospects for growth and advancement.
More salary data for Ruston, LA:
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 $53,466 for licensed practical nursesin the Ruston 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 Ruston 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