Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in St. Paul, MN: $68,706 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in St. Paul, MN earns a median $68,706/year (≈ $33.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in St. Paul's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $69,752 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Licensed practical nurses in St. Paul, Minnesota, can anticipate a median annual salary of $68,706 in 2026, which is just slightly above the national median of $68,071. The salary range for this profession in the area extends from $52,076 at the 10th percentile to $96,581 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a significant spread that can be influenced by the state's LPN scope-of-practice rules, including responsibilities like IV therapy and patient assessments. These figures are based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, indicating robust compensation potential in the local healthcare environments. With ongoing developments in the healthcare sector, the local job market suggests opportunities for practical nurses to advance their careers while earning competitive wages.
About the St. Paul Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($59,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,076 | $25.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,313 | $29.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,706 | $33.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,025 | $38.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,581 | $46.43 |
Median Salary Position
0.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Paul
In St. Paul, MN, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,505 (2026 est.). At $68,706, the local median is 0.93% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Paul: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Paul Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
St. Paul median: $68,706/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Paul Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $67,359 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +0.93% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in St. Paul, MN earn a median of $68,706 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.93% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 2.00% above the Minnesota state average of $67,359.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Paul 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.
St. Paul, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $68,706 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,752 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,923
2025 BLS Actual
$65,001
2026 Current Est.
$68,706
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in St. Paul (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,923 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,276 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,519 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,287 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,408 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,001 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,706 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,622 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Paul metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $47,923 (2019) to $65,001 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,622 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,699 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Paul 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) | $52,076 – $62,313 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,313 – $68,706 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,706 – $81,025 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,025 – $96,581 |
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 St. Paul
The employment of approximately 80 licensed practical nurses in the St. Paul area signals a stable market for LPNs, though the cost-of-living index at 98.5 suggests that take-home pay may stretch further than in pricier locations. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest wages, benefiting from the state's nursing demands, while home health agencies and physician offices provide competitive but typically lower salaries. The wage variance is influenced by factors like shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and premiums for weekends or holidays, particularly in long-term care settings. To maximize earnings, LPNs in St. Paul should consider pursuing additional certifications and seek roles in higher-paying sectors like long-term care or specialty clinics, thus enhancing their value in a constantly evolving market.
More salary data for St. Paul, 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 $65,001 for licensed practical nursesin the St. Paul 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 St. Paul 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