Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Laurel, MD: $70,676 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Laurel, MD earns a median $70,676/year (≈ $33.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $64,662 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Laurel, Maryland, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $70,676, surpassing the national median of $68,071 by 3.83%. The local salary range for this occupation is expected to be between $57,045 at the lower end (P10) and $90,146 at the upper end (P90). These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels. Shift differentials and weekend premiums play a significant role in enhancing compensation within long-term care settings, creating a competitive wage environment for LPNs in the local healthcare system.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,045 | $27.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,775 | $31.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,676 | $33.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,505 | $40.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,146 | $43.34 |
Median Salary Position
3.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MD, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,101 (2026 est.). At $70,676, the local median is 3.83% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laurel Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Laurel median: $70,676/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $74,396 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +3.83% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Laurel, MD earn a median of $70,676 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.83% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 5.00% below the Maryland state average of $74,396.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laurel, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $70,676 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,662 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,297
2025 BLS Actual
$66,865
2026 Current Est.
$70,676
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,297 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,689 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,711 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,016 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,374 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,865 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,676 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,705 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $49,297 (2019) to $66,865 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,705 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,408 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $57,045 – $65,775 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,775 – $70,676 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,676 – $83,505 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,505 – $90,146 |
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 Laurel
Within the Laurel, MD job market, only six licensed practical nurses are currently employed, which hints at a niche yet potentially stable demand for their skills. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 109.3, indicating that living expenses are higher than the national average. This reality influences take-home purchasing power and highlights the need for LPNs to consider high-paying employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. The disparity in pay ranges can often be attributed to factors like the work setting—typically, skilled nursing facilities offer higher salaries compared to home health agencies. Additionally, LPNs can boost their earnings by seeking opportunities that provide shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, or roles that involve charge LPN responsibilities, all of which can significantly increase overall compensation in the Laurel market.
More salary data for Laurel, 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 $66,865 for licensed practical nursesin the Laurel 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 Laurel 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