Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Starkville, MS: $56,729 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Starkville, MS earns a median $56,729/year (≈ $27.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Starkville's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $66,195 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Starkville, Mississippi, can expect a median annual salary of $56,729 in 2026. This figure represents a notable contrast to the national median of $68,071, highlighting the regional differences in compensation within the healthcare field. The salary range for LPNs in the area varies significantly from $43,221 at the 10th percentile to $69,408 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse settings and roles available in the local job market. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price inflation, suggest that potential earnings in Starkville are shaped by various factors, including shift differentials and weekend premiums that enhance pay for long-term care roles. Moreover, the small pool of five employed LPNs indicates a niche market where specialized skills may command higher compensation.
About the Starkville Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,221 | $20.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,399 | $26.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,729 | $27.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,186 | $31.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,408 | $33.37 |
Median Salary Position
16.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Starkville
In Starkville, MS, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,187 (2026 est.). At $56,729, the local median is 16.66% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Starkville: You'd be above the median
How Starkville Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Starkville median: $56,729/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Starkville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $58,363 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -16.66% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Starkville, MS earn a median of $56,729 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.66% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.80% below the Mississippi state average of $58,363.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Starkville 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.
Starkville, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $56,729 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,195 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$39,569
2025 BLS Actual
$53,670
2026 Current Est.
$56,729
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Starkville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,569 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,686 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,061 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,519 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,778 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,336 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,729 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,963 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Starkville metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $39,569 (2019) to $53,670 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,963 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,394 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Starkville 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) | $43,221 – $54,399 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,399 – $56,729 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,729 – $65,186 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,186 – $69,408 |
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 Starkville
In Starkville, the cost of living index stands at 85.7, suggesting that purchasing power for LPNs is generally favorable compared to the national average. This lower cost of living, combined with the strategic career moves, can lead to meaningful take-home wages despite the lower salary averages. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest pay among local employers, with home health agencies and assisted living communities following closely behind. Factors such as shift differentials, weekend/holiday pay, and IV therapy certification stipends contribute to the pay variations within these settings. For LPNs looking to maximize their earnings in Starkville, securing positions in long-term care, pursuing certifications, and being open to flexible shifts can prove beneficial strategies in an evolving job market.
More salary data for Starkville, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Starkville, MS in 2026?
Is Starkville, MS a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Starkville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Starkville?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Starkville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Mississippi
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 $53,670 for licensed practical nursesin the Starkville 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 Starkville 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