Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Rochester, MN: $67,384 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Rochester, MN earns a median $67,384/year (≈ $32.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.8), that paycheck buys what $74,194 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, MN, the licensed practical nurse salary reaches a median annual figure of $67,384, reflecting the region's strong demand for healthcare professionals with specialized skill sets. This compensation aligns closely with the national median of $68,071, indicating a competitive local market for LPNs. The salary range for licensed practical nurses in Rochester varies from $56,201 at the 10th percentile to $78,556 at the 90th percentile. Official data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys illustrates how this framework ties into Minnesota's specific LPN scope-of-practice laws, which include responsibilities like IV therapy and patient assessments. Given the substantial need for qualified nurses in long-term care facilities and the emphasis on advanced competencies, the job market for licensed practical nurses in Rochester continues to thrive.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,201 | $27.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,073 | $31.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,384 | $32.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,962 | $36.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,556 | $37.77 |
Median Salary Position
1.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, MN, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,355 (2026 est.). At $67,384, the local median is 1.01% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be above the median
How Rochester Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Rochester median: $67,384/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $68,071 | -1.01% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Rochester, MN earn a median of $67,384 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.01% lower than the national median of $68,071.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 9.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, MN has a cost-of-living index of 90.821 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $67,384 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,194 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,230
2025 BLS Actual
$63,750
2026 Current Est.
$67,384
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,384 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,225 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 29.5% from $49,230 (2019) to $63,750 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,225 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,995 (44.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $56,201 – $66,073 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,073 – $67,384 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,384 – $74,962 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,962 – $78,556 |
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 Rochester
Analyzing the local job market, Rochester employs approximately 570 licensed practical nurses who are essential to various healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. The cost-of-living index in Rochester stands at 90.821, which suggests that LPNs may stretch their salaries further compared to higher-cost areas. Among the highest-paying employers in Rochester, skilled nursing facilities often offer top compensation due to the complexities of patient care they manage. Factors contributing to the salary range include the setting, with skilled nursing generally offering more than home health or physician offices, as well as differential pay for shifts, holiday work, and additional responsibilities like IV therapy. To maximize earning potential in this market, pursuing certifications, seeking positions with higher pay scales, and considering shifts that include weekends or holidays can enhance overall licensed practical nurse pay in Rochester, MN.
More salary data for Rochester, 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 $63,750 for licensed practical nursesin the Rochester 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