Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Waltham, MA: $81,019 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Waltham, MA earns a median $81,019/year (≈ $38.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Waltham's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $74,672 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Licensed practical nurses in Waltham, Massachusetts, can expect a median annual salary of $81,019 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $68,071 for the same year. The local salary ranges widely, from $63,898 at the 10th percentile to $104,369 at the 90th percentile. This salary landscape reflects the state’s robust scope-of-practice regulations that empower LPNs, particularly in areas like IV therapy and patient assessment, resulting in more competitive pay rates. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, suggest that the earning potential for licensed practical nurses in Waltham is growing, shaped by demand in various healthcare settings such as nursing facilities and home health agencies.
About the Waltham Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($73,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,898 | $30.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,610 | $35.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,019 | $38.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,419 | $46.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,369 | $50.18 |
Median Salary Position
19.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waltham
In Waltham, MA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,471 (2026 est.). At $81,019, the local median is 19.02% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waltham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waltham Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Waltham median: $81,019/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waltham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $83,267 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +19.02% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Waltham, MA earn a median of $81,019 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.02% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 2.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $83,267.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waltham has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waltham, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,019 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,672 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,512
2025 BLS Actual
$76,650
2026 Current Est.
$81,019
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Waltham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,512 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,106 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,214 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,092 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,074 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,019 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,637 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waltham metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $56,512 (2019) to $76,650 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,637 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,125 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waltham 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) | $63,898 – $74,610 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,610 – $81,019 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,019 – $97,419 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,419 – $104,369 |
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 Waltham
In Waltham, the employment of licensed practical nurses is concentrated with only 11 professionals currently practicing in the area. While the cost-of-living index stands at 108.5, indicating a challenging economic climate compared to the national average, it is essential for LPNs to consider their take-home income critically. Long-term care facilities often provide the highest wages among employers, followed by hospitals and home health agencies. Factors such as the type of facility—skilled nursing facilities generally offer better compensation than home health or physician offices—play a significant role in salary variation. Additionally, opportunities for pay increases may stem from obtaining IV therapy certification, taking on shift differentials, or working holidays and weekends. To maximize earnings, licensed practical nurses in Waltham should consider targeting these specific environments and advocating for specialized training within their roles.
More salary data for Waltham, 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 $76,650 for licensed practical nursesin the Waltham 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 Waltham 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