Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Laurel, MS: $53,952 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Laurel, MS earns a median $53,952/year (≈ $25.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $62,954 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Laurel, MS, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $53,952, reflecting the unique dynamics of the local job market. With salaries ranging from $45,356 at the 10th percentile to $65,299 at the 90th, the compensation reflects various factors, including shift differentials and weekend premiums that incentivize effective long-term care. These salary figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, highlighting how competition for skilled practitioners in Laurel can drive salaries toward the higher end of the spectrum. The local economy and demand for nursing staff in various health care settings play a significant role in shaping the overall compensation landscape.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,356 | $21.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,952 | $25.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,894 | $29.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,299 | $31.39 |
Median Salary Position
20.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MS, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,943 (2026 est.). At $53,952, the local median is 20.74% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laurel Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Laurel median: $53,952/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $58,327 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -20.74% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Laurel, MS earn a median of $53,952 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.74% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.50% below the Mississippi state average of $58,327.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laurel, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $53,952 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,954 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,632
2025 BLS Actual
$51,043
2026 Current Est.
$53,952
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,632 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,694 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,291 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,342 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,459 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,043 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,952 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,028 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $37,632 (2019) to $51,043 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,028 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,396 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $45,356 – $51,310 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,310 – $53,952 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,952 – $61,894 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,894 – $65,299 |
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 Laurel
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Laurel is relatively concentrated, with only six employed in the area, suggesting a smaller but potentially tight-knit community of nursing professionals. The cost of living index stands at 85.7, indicating that Laurel's lower living expenses may enhance the purchasing power of LPN wages compared to more expensive areas. Employers that typically offer the best salaries include skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities, where higher patient care demands justify better compensation packages. Factors such as shift differentials and potential stipends for IV therapy certification also contribute to wage variability. To maximize earnings, LPNs in Laurel may consider working in settings with more significant financial resources or seeking additional certifications, setting themselves up for higher pay and opportunities to transition to roles with broader responsibilities, such as LPN-to-RN bridge programs.
More salary data for Laurel, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Laurel?
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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 $51,043 for licensed practical nursesin the Laurel 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 Laurel 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