Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Grand Rapids, MI: $68,948 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Grand Rapids, MI earns a median $68,948/year (≈ $33.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Grand Rapids's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $72,162 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Rapids, the landscape of licensed practical nursing is nuanced, with various employment settings influencing overall compensation. The projected median annual salary for licensed practical nurses in 2026 is $68,948, slightly above the national figure of $68,071. With a salary range from $58,399 at the lower end to $82,879 at the higher end, there is notable variation based on the type of facility. The official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data highlight that jobs in skilled nursing facilities generally offer higher pay compared to home health positions or physician offices, reflecting the complexity and intensity of care settings. The demand for skilled professionals in long-term care is crucial, as they represent a significant part of the healthcare workforce in Grand Rapids, which contributes to the city’s thriving job market for licensed practical nurses.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,399 | $28.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,953 | $31.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,948 | $33.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,098 | $37.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,879 | $39.85 |
Median Salary Position
1.29% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Rapids
In Grand Rapids, MI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,480 (2026 est.). At $68,948, the local median is 1.29% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Rapids: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Rapids Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Grand Rapids median: $68,948/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $68,333 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +1.29% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $68,948 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.29% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.90% above the Michigan state average of $68,333.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Rapids has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Rapids, MI has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $68,948 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,162 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,630
2025 BLS Actual
$65,230
2026 Current Est.
$68,948
2019–2027 Growth
+56.3%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,948 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,878 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 39.9% from $46,630 (2019) to $65,230 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,878 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,248 (56.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Rapids 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) | $58,399 – $64,953 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,953 – $68,948 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,948 – $77,098 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,098 – $82,879 |
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 Grand Rapids
Exploring the practical nursing job landscape in Grand Rapids reveals a workforce of approximately 1,230 licensed practical nurses. This number reflects a local commitment to healthcare, while the area's cost of living index, at 95.546, suggests that salaries offer a competitive edge in terms of purchasing power. Employers that tend to pay the most include skilled nursing facilities, particularly for roles with additional certifications such as IV therapy, where higher rates reflect specialized skills. The disparity between entry-level and experienced positions can be traced back to setting—skilled nursing roles generally command higher salaries than home health or office positions, especially when factoring in shift differentials and weekend premiums. To maximize earnings, licensed practical nurses should consider working in high-demand areas like long-term care and actively seek out positions that offer stipends or bonuses for specialized training.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
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 $65,230 for licensed practical nursesin the Grand Rapids 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