Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Maryland: $77,404 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 28 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $77,404/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $70,818 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Columbia ($76,210), Baltimore ($74,860), Lexington Park ($74,860).
In Maryland, the average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) is projected to be $77,404 in 2026, which is 13.7% higher than the national median of $68,071. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Columbia leading at $80,554 and Hagerstown at the lower end with $67,944. This nearly $12,610 gap is influenced by factors such as regional demand for healthcare services, cost of living, and competition among employers for skilled LPNs, particularly in urban areas like Baltimore and Columbia. Maryland has specific licensing requirements for LPNs, including completing an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. Additionally, the state's scope of practice laws allow LPNs to perform various duties, which can affect their potential earnings. With a projected 5.70% annual growth rate in employment, the demand for LPNs in Maryland is strong, driven by an aging population and an increasing need for healthcare services across the state. Overall, Maryland presents a favorable job market for LPNs, offering competitive salaries and diverse employment opportunities in metropolitan areas.
Maryland Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $53,495 (lowest entry-level) to $106,188 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland licensed practical nurses earn 13.71% more than the national median (+$9,333/year difference).
Maryland Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Maryland range from $63,166 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $99,019 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $77,404. The Maryland median is $9,333 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $37.21/hr. Approximately 6,473 licensed practical nurses are employed across 28 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,644
2025 BLS Actual
$73,230
2026 Current Est.
$77,404
2019–2027 Growth
+52.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,644 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,929 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,526 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,827 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,073 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,747 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,404 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,816 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 36.5% from $53,644 (2019) to $73,230 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,816 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,172 (52.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hagerstown | $67,944 |
| Cumberland | $68,866 |
| Salisbury | $69,477 |
| Greenbelt | $70,444 |
| Laurel | $70,676 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park | $79,127 | 100.76 | $78,530 |
| Baltimore | $79,127 | 104.487 | $75,729 |
| Columbia | $80,554 | 109.3 | $73,700 |
| Salisbury | $69,477 | 95.617 | $72,662 |
| Hagerstown | $67,944 | 94.171 | $72,150 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $63,166 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $77,404 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $99,019 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 28 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $80,554 |
| 2 | Baltimore | $79,127 |
| 3 | Lexington Park | $79,127 |
| 4 | Towson | $78,820 |
| 5 | Aspen Hill | $75,434 |
| 6 | Gaithersburg | $74,944 |
| 7 | Germantown | $74,892 |
| 8 | Ellicott City | $74,720 |
| 9 | Waldorf | $74,644 |
| 10 | Wheaton | $74,391 |
| 11 | Bowie | $74,038 |
| 12 | Glen Burnie | $73,807 |
| 13 | Frederick | $72,788 |
| 14 | Annapolis | $72,772 |
| 15 | Severn | $72,770 |
| 16 | College Park | $72,629 |
| 17 | Rockville | $72,535 |
| 18 | Silver Spring | $72,500 |
| 19 | Potomac | $72,155 |
| 20 | Bethesda | $71,863 |
| 21 | Dundalk | $71,863 |
| 22 | Odenton | $71,618 |
| 23 | Catonsville | $71,035 |
| 24 | Laurel | $70,676 |
| 25 | Greenbelt | $70,444 |
| 26 | Salisbury | $69,477 |
| 27 | Cumberland | $68,866 |
| 28 | Hagerstown | $67,944 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Maryland cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new licensed practical nurses.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Compare Cities in Maryland
View all comparisons →Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Maryland?
How does Maryland licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Maryland?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 28 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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