Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Elk River, MN: $66,018 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Elk River, MN earns a median $66,018/year (≈ $31.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Elk River's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $67,023 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elk River, Minnesota, the salary landscape for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) is shaped by a combination of competitive pay and specific job incentives such as shift differentials and weekend premiums. The median annual salary is projected to reach $66,018 in 2026, with a salary range extending from $54,645 at the 10th percentile to $85,967 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, indicate that Elk River's compensation packages are closely aligned with the responsibilities of LPNs in long-term care settings, where a significant portion of the workforce finds employment.
About the Elk River Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($59,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,645 | $26.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,443 | $30.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,018 | $31.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,974 | $36.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,967 | $41.33 |
Median Salary Position
3.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elk River
In Elk River, MN, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,322 (2026 est.). At $66,018, the local median is 3.02% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elk River: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elk River Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Elk River median: $66,018/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elk River Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $67,365 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -3.02% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Elk River, MN earn a median of $66,018 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.02% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.00% below the Minnesota state average of $67,365.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elk River has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elk River, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $66,018 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,023 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,048
2025 BLS Actual
$62,458
2026 Current Est.
$66,018
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Elk River (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,048 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,348 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,973 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,929 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,938 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,458 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,018 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,781 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elk River metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $46,048 (2019) to $62,458 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,781 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,733 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elk River 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) | $54,645 – $62,443 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,443 – $66,018 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,018 – $74,974 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,974 – $85,967 |
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 Elk River
With only four licensed practical nurses currently employed in Elk River, the local job market offers limited positions, but the cost-of-living index at 98.5 suggests that the take-home pay might stretch further than in many higher-cost areas. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most competitive pay, with many LPN roles benefiting from shift differentials and additional stipends for certifications, such as IV therapy. As a result, the spread between the lowest and highest salaries reflects the varied demands of different work settings; long-term care facilities generally offer superior pay compared to home health agencies and physician offices. To maximize earnings in Elk River, LPNs should consider seeking opportunities in long-term care, continuously enhance their skill sets through certifications, and remain open to flexible shifts, including weekends, to capitalize on additional pay incentives.
More salary data for Elk River, MN:
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 $62,458 for licensed practical nursesin the Elk River 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 Elk River 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