Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Bangor, ME: $76,495 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Bangor, ME earns a median $76,495/year (≈ $36.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Bangor's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $79,263 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.8% above the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Licensed practical nurses in Bangor, Maine, earn a competitive median annual salary of $76,495, which notably surpasses the national average by 12.38%. With salaries ranging from $63,748 at the lowest end to $83,059 at the highest, the local market presents diverse earning potentials based on the setting. LPNs primarily find roles in skilled nursing facilities, home health care, and clinics, each influencing salary structures. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, reflects a growing demand for skilled nursing professionals in Bangor, driven by an aging population and healthcare needs assessments that inform staffing and compensation strategies.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,748 | $30.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,908 | $32.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,495 | $36.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,220 | $39.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,059 | $39.93 |
Median Salary Position
12.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bangor
In Bangor, ME, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,311 (2026 est.). At $76,495, the local median is 12.38% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bangor: You'd be above the median
How Bangor Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Bangor median: $76,495/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bangor Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $67,815 | +12.80% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +12.38% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Bangor, ME earn a median of $76,495 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.38% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 12.80% above the Maine state average of $67,815.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bangor has a cost of living 3.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bangor, ME has a cost-of-living index of 96.508 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $76,495 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,263 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,540
2025 BLS Actual
$72,370
2026 Current Est.
$76,495
2019–2027 Growth
+109.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Bangor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,495 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,855 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bangor metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 87.8% from $38,540 (2019) to $72,370 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,855 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,315 (109.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bangor 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) | $63,748 – $66,908 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,908 – $76,495 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,495 – $81,220 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,220 – $83,059 |
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 Bangor
The Bangor job market demonstrates a healthy employment level for licensed practical nurses, with approximately 90 LPNs actively working in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 96.508, taking home pay allows for decent purchasing power, making it feasible for LPNs to balance their finances comfortably. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and long-term care organizations typically offer higher pay compared to home health agencies and physician offices, often including incentives such as shift differentials and holiday premiums. To maximize earnings, LPNs might consider seeking certification in IV therapy or pursuing charge LPN positions, which can lead to better pay. As the demand for LPNs continues to grow at an annual rate of 5.70%, those navigating their careers in Bangor should strategically focus on opportunities that align with these market trends.
More salary data for Bangor, ME:
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 $72,370 for licensed practical nursesin the Bangor 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