Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Baltimore, MD: $79,127 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Baltimore, MD earns a median $79,127/year (≈ $38.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Baltimore's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.5), that paycheck buys what $75,729 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Maryland state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Baltimore, Maryland, the compensation for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) is strongly influenced by state regulations that allow for advanced scope-of-practice roles, such as IV therapy and assessments. According to projections for 2026, the median annual salary stands at $79,127, a notable increase compared to national figures. The salary range is quite wide, spanning from $64,614 at the tenth percentile to $101,609 at the ninetieth percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected into 2026, reflects a healthy local job market, where the demand for LPNs remains robust amid changing healthcare needs. The evolving responsibilities and settings in which LPNs operate contribute to these competitive wages in Baltimore.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,614 | $31.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,255 | $33.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,127 | $38.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,429 | $40.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,609 | $48.85 |
Median Salary Position
16.24% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baltimore
In Baltimore, MD, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,995 (2026 est.). At $79,127, the local median is 16.24% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Baltimore: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Baltimore Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Baltimore median: $79,127/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baltimore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $74,368 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +16.24% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Baltimore, MD earn a median of $79,127 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.24% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 6.40% above the Maryland state average of $74,368.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baltimore has a cost of living 4.49% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Baltimore, MD has a cost-of-living index of 104.487 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,127 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,729 — a 4.29% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,390
2025 BLS Actual
$74,860
2026 Current Est.
$79,127
2019–2027 Growth
+51.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Baltimore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,127 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,637 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baltimore metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.2% from $55,390 (2019) to $74,860 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,637 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,247 (51.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baltimore 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) | $64,614 – $69,255 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,255 – $79,127 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,127 – $83,429 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,429 – $101,609 |
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 Baltimore
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Baltimore is quite strong, with approximately 5,120 LPNs currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index of 104.487 suggests that salaries must also align with local economic realities. Those interested in maximizing their earning potential may find that skilled nursing facilities often offer the highest pay, followed closely by hospitals and home health agencies. Factors contributing to the wide salary range include variations in work settings, shift differentials, and additional compensation for specialized certifications, such as IV therapy. Understanding these dynamics can significantly aid in determining optimal employment opportunities, including seeking weekend and holiday shifts that typically attract higher premiums. For LPNs aiming to enhance their career trajectory, pursuing an LPN-to-RN bridge program could also lead to expanded opportunities and increased earnings in this evolving healthcare landscape of Baltimore, MD.
More salary data for Baltimore, MD:
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 $74,860 for licensed practical nursesin the Baltimore 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