Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Boston, MA: $86,875 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Boston, MA earns a median $86,875/year (≈ $41.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Boston's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 108.3), that paycheck buys what $80,242 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% above the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurse salaries in Boston, Massachusetts are projected to reach a median of $86,875, significantly higher than the national median of $68,071, reflecting a 27.62% premium for local practitioners. The salary range for LPNs in this market ranges from $65,196 at the 10th percentile to $99,474 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the varied compensation levels based on experience, qualifications, and work settings. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicates that the city's competitive pay is bolstered by factors such as shift differentials and weekend premiums, making it an attractive destination for those in the nursing profession. With over 8,410 licensed practical nurses employed in the area, Boston showcases a robust healthcare sector that supports sustained employment opportunities in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,196 | $31.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,328 | $38.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,875 | $41.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,033 | $44.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,474 | $47.83 |
Median Salary Position
27.62% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boston
In Boston, MA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,278 (2026 est.). At $86,875, the local median is 27.62% above the national median of $68,071.
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How Boston Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Boston median: $86,875/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $83,293 | +4.30% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +27.62% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Boston, MA earn a median of $86,875 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.62% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 4.30% above the Massachusetts state average of $83,293.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boston has a cost of living 8.27% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boston, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.266 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,875 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $80,242 — a 7.64% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,300
2025 BLS Actual
$82,190
2026 Current Est.
$86,875
2019–2027 Growth
+54.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,875 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,827 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boston metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 38.6% from $59,300 (2019) to $82,190 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,827 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,527 (54.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boston 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) | $65,196 – $79,328 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,328 – $86,875 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,875 – $92,033 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,033 – $99,474 |
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 Boston
Examining the local job market reveals unique financial implications for licensed practical nurses in Boston. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 108.266, which, while slightly above the national average, influences take-home purchasing power for LPNs. Facilities that typically offer the highest compensation include skilled nursing facilities and certain hospital markets, especially those that provide shift differentials and additional pay for IV therapy certifications or weekend/holiday shifts. The pay disparity often reflects the work setting, with skilled nursing roles generally offering more than home health agencies or physician offices. For those looking to maximize their earning potential in Boston, pursuing employment in long-term care, obtaining specialized certifications, and seeking positions that provide significant shift premiums are effective strategies worth considering. Such efforts can yield substantial benefits in this thriving healthcare hub.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
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 $82,190 for licensed practical nursesin the Boston 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