Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Minnesota: $68,346 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $68,346/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $69,387 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Minneapolis ($65,660), St. Paul ($65,001), Maple Grove ($64,615).
In 2026, the average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Minnesota is projected to be $68,347, which is slightly higher than the national median of $68,071, marking a difference of 0.4%. The highest-paying city in the state is Minneapolis, where LPNs can expect to earn $69,403, while Faribault offers the lowest salary at $63,653. This $5,750 salary gap can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas compared to rural regions. Minnesota has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact LPN roles. The state’s healthcare profession regulation ensures that LPNs are well-trained and competent, meeting the needs of the population. With a projected CAGR of 5.70%, the job market for LPNs in Minnesota is expected to continue growing, driven by an aging population and increasing healthcare needs. Top cities for LPN salaries besides Minneapolis include St. Paul at $68,706, Maple Grove at $68,298, Woodbury at $68,271, and Eden Prairie at $68,207. This stable growth indicates ongoing demand for LPNs in various settings, enhancing job opportunities across the state.
Minnesota Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $48,794 (lowest entry-level) to $96,581 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota licensed practical nurses earn 0.40% more than the national median (+$275/year difference).
Minnesota Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Minnesota range from $57,978 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $81,687 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $68,346. The Minnesota median is $275 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $32.86/hr. Approximately 9,232 licensed practical nurses are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,850
2025 BLS Actual
$64,661
2026 Current Est.
$68,346
2019–2027 Growth
+44.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Minnesota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,888 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,137 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,027 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,763 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,257 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,661 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,346 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,242 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 29.7% from $49,850 (2019) to $64,661 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,242 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,392 (44.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mankato | $68,071 | 90.955 | $74,840 |
| St. Cloud | $65,428 | 87.632 | $74,662 |
| Rochester | $67,384 | 90.821 | $74,194 |
| Duluth | $64,403 | 88.768 | $72,552 |
| St. Paul | $68,706 | 98.5 | $69,752 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $57,978 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $68,346 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $81,687 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $69,403 |
| 2 | St. Paul | $68,706 |
| 3 | Maple Grove | $68,298 |
| 4 | Woodbury | $68,271 |
| 5 | Eden Prairie | $68,207 |
| 6 | Bloomington | $68,173 |
| 7 | Mankato | $68,071 |
| 8 | Rochester | $67,384 |
| 9 | Owatonna | $66,891 |
| 10 | Brooklyn Park | $66,803 |
| 11 | Plymouth | $66,686 |
| 12 | Roseville | $66,646 |
| 13 | Chaska | $66,594 |
| 14 | Minnetonka | $66,579 |
| 15 | Cottage Grove | $66,504 |
| 16 | Burnsville | $66,451 |
| 17 | Lakeville | $66,205 |
| 18 | Chanhassen | $66,160 |
| 19 | Inver Grove Heights | $66,055 |
| 20 | Eagan | $66,046 |
| 21 | Brooklyn Center | $66,029 |
| 22 | Elk River | $66,018 |
| 23 | Prior Lake | $65,950 |
| 24 | Ramsey | $65,709 |
| 25 | Blaine | $65,431 |
| 26 | St. Cloud | $65,428 |
| 27 | Apple Valley | $65,330 |
| 28 | Shakopee | $65,266 |
| 29 | Coon Rapids | $65,256 |
| 30 | Savage | $65,150 |
| 31 | Edina | $65,144 |
| 32 | Maplewood | $64,952 |
| 33 | Andover | $64,936 |
| 34 | Richfield | $64,905 |
| 35 | St. Louis Park | $64,900 |
| 36 | Moorhead | $64,806 |
| 37 | Duluth | $64,403 |
| 38 | Northfield | $64,336 |
| 39 | Hastings | $64,200 |
| 40 | Fridley | $63,912 |
| 41 | Winona | $63,859 |
| 42 | Shoreview | $63,833 |
| 43 | Austin | $63,734 |
| 44 | Faribault | $63,653 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Minnesota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Compare Cities in Minnesota
View all comparisons →Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Minnesota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Minnesota?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Minnesota?
Which Minnesota city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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