Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Bay City, MI: $64,879 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Bay City, MI earns a median $64,879/year (≈ $31.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Bay City's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.9), that paycheck buys what $70,581 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the typical annual compensation for licensed practical nurses in Bay City, MI, is projected to reach $64,879, reflecting a competitive edge albeit slightly below the national average of $68,071. Salary ranges indicate a breadth of opportunity, with entry-level positions starting around $56,888, while more experienced practitioners can earn as much as $78,007. These figures, informed by official BLS OEWS surveys, demonstrate the complexities of compensation in the healthcare sector, particularly influenced by factors such as shift differentials and weekend premiums that contribute significantly to effective long-term care compensation. The local job market appears stable, providing a solid foundation for those seeking employment in this essential field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,888 | $27.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,314 | $30.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,879 | $31.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,887 | $34.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,007 | $37.50 |
Median Salary Position
4.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bay City
In Bay City, MI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,119 (2026 est.). At $64,879, the local median is 4.69% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bay City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bay City Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Bay City median: $64,879/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bay City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $68,365 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -4.69% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Bay City, MI earn a median of $64,879 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.69% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 5.10% below the Michigan state average of $68,365.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bay City has a cost of living 8.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bay City, MI has a cost-of-living index of 91.921 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $64,879 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,581 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.79% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$47,090
2025 BLS Actual
$61,380
2026 Current Est.
$64,879
2019–2027 Growth
+45.6%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Bay City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,879 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,577 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bay City metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 30.3% from $47,090 (2019) to $61,380 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,577 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,487 (45.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bay City 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) | $56,888 – $63,314 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,314 – $64,879 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,879 – $71,887 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,887 – $78,007 |
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 Bay City
Bay City's job market for licensed practical nurses remains strong, with approximately 150 LPNs currently employed in the area, further highlighting the importance of this role in local healthcare. The cost of living index stands at 91.921, suggesting that the purchasing power of a licensed practical nurse salary in Bay City is somewhat favorable compared to the national average. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher wages than home health agencies or physician offices, with factors such as weekend and holiday pay, IV therapy certifications, and charge nurse differentials playing key roles in salary variations. To maximize earnings, LPNs should consider positions within skilled nursing facilities, pursue additional certifications, and leverage shift differentials effectively, ensuring they capitalize on the opportunities available within the Bay City healthcare market.
More salary data for Bay City, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Bay City, MI in 2026?
Is Bay City, MI a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Bay City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Bay City?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Bay City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Michigan
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 $61,380 for licensed practical nursesin the Bay City 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