Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Mississippi: $56,608 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Mississippi's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $56,608/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Mississippi sits at BEA RPP 85.7 (14% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,054 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Biloxi ($57,096), Gulfport ($56,430), Pearl ($54,668).
In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Mississippi are projected to earn an average median salary of $56,609, which is significantly lower than the national median of $68,071. This represents a salary difference of 16.8%. The highest-paying city in the state is Biloxi, where LPNs can expect to make $60,350, while Hattiesburg, the lowest-paying area, offers a salary of $51,106. Such disparities in pay among cities can be attributed to various factors including local demand for healthcare services, cost of living, and the presence of healthcare facilities. Mississippi has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that govern LPN duties, impacting their roles and the demand for their services. With a total employment of 3,690 LPNs in the state and a projected annual growth rate of 5.70%, the job market is expected to expand, driven by an increasing need for healthcare professionals in both urban and rural areas. In 2026, the top cities for LPN salaries include Gulfport at $59,647, Pearl at $57,784, Tupelo at $57,770, and Madison at $57,540, which reflect the diverse opportunities available within the state.
Mississippi Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Mississippi: $40,430 (lowest entry-level) to $75,074 (highest top earner)
Mississippi vs National Average
Mississippi licensed practical nurses earn 16.84% less than the national median ($-11,463/year difference).
Mississippi Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Mississippi range from $44,285 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $66,440 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $56,608. The Mississippi median is $11,463 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $27.21/hr. Approximately 3,690 licensed practical nurses are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$40,096
2025 BLS Actual
$53,556
2026 Current Est.
$56,608
2019–2027 Growth
+49.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Mississippi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,096 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,666 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,726 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,913 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,728 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,556 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,608 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,835 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mississippi metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 33.6% from $40,096 (2019) to $53,556 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,835 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,739 (49.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mississippi 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 Mississippi
Lowest Paying Cities in Mississippi
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hattiesburg | $51,106 |
| Clinton | $53,636 |
| Laurel | $53,952 |
| Columbus | $54,856 |
| Hernando | $54,917 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Mississippi
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Mississippi cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biloxi | $60,350 | 85.7 | $70,420 |
| Pearl | $57,784 | 85.7 | $67,426 |
| Tupelo | $57,770 | 85.7 | $67,410 |
| Madison | $57,540 | 85.7 | $67,141 |
| Southaven | $57,387 | 85.7 | $66,963 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Mississippi
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $44,285 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $56,608 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $66,440 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Mississippi metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Mississippi
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biloxi | $60,350 |
| 2 | Gulfport | $59,647 |
| 3 | Pearl | $57,784 |
| 4 | Tupelo | $57,770 |
| 5 | Madison | $57,540 |
| 6 | Southaven | $57,387 |
| 7 | Horn Lake | $57,150 |
| 8 | Starkville | $56,729 |
| 9 | Jackson | $56,560 |
| 10 | Ridgeland | $56,010 |
| 11 | Vicksburg | $56,010 |
| 12 | Oxford | $55,656 |
| 13 | Brandon | $55,597 |
| 14 | Meridian | $55,303 |
| 15 | Olive Branch | $55,194 |
| 16 | Hernando | $54,917 |
| 17 | Columbus | $54,856 |
| 18 | Laurel | $53,952 |
| 19 | Clinton | $53,636 |
| 20 | Hattiesburg | $51,106 |
More Mississippi Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Mississippi cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Mississippi in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Mississippi?
How does Mississippi licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Mississippi?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Mississippi?
Which Mississippi 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 Mississippi. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 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