Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Massachusetts: $85,609 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Massachusetts's 59 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $85,609/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Massachusetts sits at BEA RPP 108.5 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $78,902 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boston ($82,190), Newton ($81,529), Barnstable Town ($81,250).
The salary landscape for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Massachusetts significantly exceeds national averages, with an average median salary of $85,609 projected for 2026, compared to the national median of $68,071—marking an increase of 25.8%. Within the state, Boston offers the highest salaries at $86,875, while Andover presents the lowest at $78,833. This $8,042 salary gap is largely driven by factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services in urban areas, and varying healthcare facilities. Massachusetts has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that directly influence LPN roles. The state emphasizes comprehensive training and continuing education for LPNs, which ensures a skilled workforce. Demand for these professionals is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.70%, reflecting a steady need for healthcare support as the population ages and healthcare services expand. With a total employment of 12,917 LPNs in the state, Massachusetts reflects a strong job market. Cities like Newton and Barnstable Town also offer competitive salaries, with projected values of $86,176 and $85,881 respectively. This trend suggests that pursuing a career as an LPN in Massachusetts not only promises competitive pay but also a favorable job outlook, particularly in metropolitan areas.
Massachusetts Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Massachusetts: $60,410 (lowest entry-level) to $113,026 (highest top earner)
Massachusetts vs National Average
Massachusetts licensed practical nurses earn 25.76% more than the national median (+$17,538/year difference).
Massachusetts Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Massachusetts range from $65,582 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $99,718 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $85,609. The Massachusetts median is $17,538 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $41.16/hr. Approximately 12,917 licensed practical nurses are employed across 59 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,314
2025 BLS Actual
$80,992
2026 Current Est.
$85,609
2019–2027 Growth
+55.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Massachusetts (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,314 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,809 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,165 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,463 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,634 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,237 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,992 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,609 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,488 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Massachusetts metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 38.9% from $58,314 (2019) to $80,992 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,488 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,174 (55.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Lowest Paying Cities in Massachusetts
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Andover | $78,833 |
| Leominster | $79,028 |
| Wellesley | $79,098 |
| Chelmsford | $79,144 |
| Woburn | $79,215 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Massachusetts
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Massachusetts cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $85,881 | 98.351 | $87,321 |
| Pittsfield | $82,953 | 95.106 | $87,222 |
| Springfield | $82,287 | 96.061 | $85,661 |
| Amherst Town | $82,531 | 100.243 | $82,331 |
| Worcester | $83,566 | 102.523 | $81,510 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Massachusetts
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $65,582 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $85,609 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $99,718 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Massachusetts metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 59 Cities in Massachusetts
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $86,875 |
| 2 | Newton | $86,176 |
| 3 | Barnstable Town | $85,881 |
| 4 | Lynn | $85,516 |
| 5 | Cambridge | $84,800 |
| 6 | Somerville | $84,396 |
| 7 | Revere | $84,264 |
| 8 | Brockton | $83,974 |
| 9 | New Bedford | $83,880 |
| 10 | Plymouth | $83,829 |
| 11 | Worcester | $83,566 |
| 12 | Malden | $83,525 |
| 13 | Haverhill | $83,513 |
| 14 | Lowell | $83,490 |
| 15 | Framingham | $83,452 |
| 16 | Peabody | $83,340 |
| 17 | Weymouth | $83,090 |
| 18 | Pittsfield | $82,953 |
| 19 | Chicopee | $82,839 |
| 20 | Randolph | $82,749 |
| 21 | Quincy | $82,602 |
| 22 | Amherst Town | $82,531 |
| 23 | Amherst | $82,503 |
| 24 | Chelsea | $82,497 |
| 25 | Springfield | $82,287 |
| 26 | Medford | $82,273 |
| 27 | Fall River | $82,193 |
| 28 | Marlborough | $82,193 |
| 29 | Watertown | $82,181 |
| 30 | Fitchburg | $82,115 |
| 31 | Methuen | $82,085 |
| 32 | Taunton | $82,049 |
| 33 | Arlington | $82,019 |
| 34 | Needham | $81,805 |
| 35 | Westfield | $81,766 |
| 36 | Everett | $81,754 |
| 37 | Northampton | $81,438 |
| 38 | Holyoke | $81,334 |
| 39 | Lawrence | $81,198 |
| 40 | Beverly | $81,198 |
| 41 | Dartmouth | $81,101 |
| 42 | Waltham | $81,019 |
| 43 | Barnstable | $80,933 |
| 44 | Brookline | $80,756 |
| 45 | Billerica | $80,630 |
| 46 | Braintree | $80,358 |
| 47 | Salem | $80,223 |
| 48 | Natick | $80,171 |
| 49 | Dracut | $79,751 |
| 50 | Lexington | $79,699 |
| 51 | Stoughton | $79,699 |
| 52 | Shrewsbury | $79,596 |
| 53 | Franklin | $79,383 |
| 54 | Attleboro | $79,318 |
| 55 | Woburn | $79,215 |
| 56 | Chelmsford | $79,144 |
| 57 | Wellesley | $79,098 |
| 58 | Leominster | $79,028 |
| 59 | Andover | $78,833 |
More Massachusetts Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Massachusetts cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Compare Cities in Massachusetts
View all comparisons →Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Massachusetts in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Massachusetts?
How does Massachusetts licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Massachusetts?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Massachusetts?
Which Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts. State averages are employment-weighted across 59 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