Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Waterford, MI: $66,706 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Waterford, MI earns a median $66,706/year (≈ $32.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Waterford's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $71,573 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waterford, MI, the landscape for licensed practical nurse pay reflects the varied settings where LPNs can work, which ultimately influences their compensation. The estimated median annual salary for licensed practical nurses in 2026 stands at $66,706, slightly below the national median of $68,071. With a salary range stretching from $52,909 at the 10th percentile to $86,305 at the 90th percentile, LPNs in Waterford can expect diverse remuneration based on their roles. These figures derive from projections using 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, indicating a competitive market despite the slight dip in pay compared to national averages. In a city where skilled nursing facilities often pay higher than home health agencies and physician offices, the outlook for LPNs is promising as they navigate their career options within the healthcare sector.
About the Waterford Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,909 | $25.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,654 | $29.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,706 | $32.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,974 | $37.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,305 | $41.50 |
Median Salary Position
2.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterford
In Waterford, MI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,396 (2026 est.). At $66,706, the local median is 2.01% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waterford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waterford Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Waterford median: $66,706/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $68,347 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -2.01% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Waterford, MI earn a median of $66,706 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.01% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.40% below the Michigan state average of $68,347.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterford has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waterford, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $66,706 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,573 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,528
2025 BLS Actual
$63,109
2026 Current Est.
$66,706
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Waterford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,528 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,841 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,106 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,525 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,533 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,751 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,109 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,706 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,508 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterford metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $46,528 (2019) to $63,109 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,508 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,980 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterford 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) | $52,909 – $61,654 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,654 – $66,706 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,706 – $78,974 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,974 – $86,305 |
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 Waterford
The local job market for licensed practical nurses in Waterford employs approximately 16 practitioners, suggesting a specialized community for this role. With a cost-of-living index of 93.2, nurses may find that their take-home pay provides an advantageous purchasing power compared to many other regions. Among the employers in the area, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest wages, driven by the complexities of long-term care, while home health and physician offices tend to fall on the lower end of the pay scale. Factors such as shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and premiums for weekend or holiday shifts contribute to the spread in compensation. For LPNs looking to maximize their licensed practical nurse salary in Waterford, seeking positions in long-term care settings or pursuing additional certifications can significantly enhance earnings potential, making strategic choices critical in this evolving employment market.
More salary data for Waterford, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $63,109 for licensed practical nursesin the Waterford 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 Waterford 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