Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Moorhead, MN: $64,806 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Moorhead, MN earns a median $64,806/year (≈ $31.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Moorhead's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $65,793 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, licensed practical nurses in Moorhead, Minnesota, can expect a median annual salary of $64,806. This figure is situated within a salary range that spans from $53,607 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $84,188 at the upper end (90th percentile), reflecting the varied opportunities available in this market. The salary estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, with adjustments made for regional cost factors. Compared to the national median of $68,071, the earnings in Moorhead reveal a slight deficit of approximately 4.80%. This pay structure highlights the impact of employment settings, as positions in skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher compensation than those in home health or physician offices.
About the Moorhead Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($59,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,607 | $25.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,271 | $29.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,806 | $31.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,671 | $35.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,188 | $40.47 |
Median Salary Position
4.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moorhead
In Moorhead, MN, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,581 (2026 est.). At $64,806, the local median is 4.8% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moorhead: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moorhead Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Moorhead median: $64,806/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moorhead Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $67,366 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -4.80% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Moorhead, MN earn a median of $64,806 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.80% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 3.80% below the Minnesota state average of $67,366.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moorhead 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.
Moorhead, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $64,806 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,793 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,203
2025 BLS Actual
$61,311
2026 Current Est.
$64,806
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Moorhead (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,203 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,478 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,764 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,865 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,891 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,311 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,806 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,500 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moorhead metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $45,203 (2019) to $61,311 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,500 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,297 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moorhead 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) | $53,607 – $61,271 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,271 – $64,806 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,806 – $73,671 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,671 – $84,188 |
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 Moorhead
With only 11 licensed practical nurses currently employed in Moorhead, the job market may seem limited, yet it reflects a stable demand for the profession. The local cost of living index stands at 98.5, indicating that the purchasing power for LPN salaries is more favorable than in many urban areas. Skilled nursing facilities often offer higher wages compared to home health agencies and physician offices, driven by the extensive responsibilities required in long-term care settings. Factors such as shift differentials, additional pay for IV therapy certification, and weekend or holiday premiums further widen the salary range for practical nurses. To maximize earnings within this market, LPNs should consider gaining specialized certifications and seeking positions in long-term care, where pay rates are generally higher, thereby enhancing their overall income potential in Moorhead, MN.
More salary data for Moorhead, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Moorhead, MN in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Moorhead?
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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 $61,311 for licensed practical nursesin the Moorhead 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 Moorhead 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