Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Cambridge, MA: $84,800 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Cambridge, MA earns a median $84,800/year (≈ $40.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Cambridge's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $78,157 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Licensed practical nurse pay in Cambridge, MA, reflects a robust market that offers competitive salaries compared to national averages. In 2026, the projected median annual salary is $84,800, significantly higher than the national figure of $68,071, placing Cambridge LPNs approximately 24.58% above their peers elsewhere in the country. The salary range for licensed practical nurses here spans from $62,238 at the 10th percentile to $110,248 at the 90th percentile, indicating a varied job market influenced by factors such as work setting and specialization. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjustments for regional cost of living signify not only a worthwhile financial structure but also highlight the demand for skilled nursing versus home health roles within the city.
About the Cambridge Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($73,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,238 | $29.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,800 | $35.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,800 | $40.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,408 | $48.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,248 | $53.01 |
Median Salary Position
24.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cambridge
In Cambridge, MA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,010 (2026 est.). At $84,800, the local median is 24.58% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cambridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cambridge Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Cambridge median: $84,800/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cambridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $83,301 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +24.58% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Cambridge, MA earn a median of $84,800 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.58% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.80% above the Massachusetts state average of $83,301.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cambridge has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cambridge, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,800 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,157 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,149
2025 BLS Actual
$80,227
2026 Current Est.
$84,800
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Cambridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,149 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,818 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,884 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,043 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,409 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,087 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,227 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,800 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,634 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cambridge metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $59,149 (2019) to $80,227 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,634 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,485 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cambridge 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) | $62,238 – $74,800 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,800 – $84,800 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,800 – $100,408 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,408 – $110,248 |
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 Cambridge
In Cambridge, only 22 licensed practical nurses are currently employed, which illustrates a tight-knit workforce in this field. While the cost-of-living index stands at 108.5, LPNs must consider how their earnings translate into purchasing power. Facilities offering skilled nursing care generally pay more than home health agencies or physician offices, largely due to the nature of the work and patient needs. The pay gap between lower and higher-paid positions in this field is driven by various factors, including shift differentials, weekend and holiday premiums, and specialized skills like IV therapy certification. To maximize earnings, prospective LPNs in Cambridge might pursue roles in long-term care or seek shifts that offer additional compensation, as well as consider transitioning to registered nursing positions, which increasingly promise higher pay and broader responsibilities.
More salary data for Cambridge, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Cambridge, MA in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Cambridge?
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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 $80,227 for licensed practical nursesin the Cambridge 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 Cambridge 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