Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Missouri: $67,337 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $67,337/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $75,153 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: St. Louis ($65,120), Kansas City ($64,420), Independence ($62,289).
In Missouri, the projected average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in 2026 is $67,337, which is slightly below the national median of $68,071, reflecting a difference of -1.1%. The highest salaries are found in St. Louis, where LPNs can earn $68,832, while Hannibal offers the lowest at $59,530, creating a salary gap of $9,302. This variance is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas versus rural locations. Missouri requires LPNs to obtain licensure through the Missouri Board of Nursing, ensuring they have completed an accredited practical nursing program and passed the NCLEX-PN exam. The scope of practice laws allow LPNs to perform a variety of medical tasks under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians, which is essential in meeting the growing healthcare demands across the state. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.70% in the employment of LPNs, driven by an aging population and increasing healthcare needs, the job market for LPNs in Missouri appears favorable. Major metro areas such as Kansas City, Independence, St. Peters, and St. Charles will also continue to offer varying salary opportunities that are above the state average, further enhancing employment prospects for LPNs in the region.
Missouri Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Missouri: $47,649 (lowest entry-level) to $90,208 (highest top earner)
Missouri vs National Average
Missouri licensed practical nurses earn 1.08% less than the national median ($-734/year difference).
Missouri Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Missouri range from $55,944 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $82,287 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $67,337. The Missouri median is $734 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $32.37/hr. Approximately 13,382 licensed practical nurses are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,463
2025 BLS Actual
$63,706
2026 Current Est.
$67,337
2019–2027 Growth
+56.6%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Missouri (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,463 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,376 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,331 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,984 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,657 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,164 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,706 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,337 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,175 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 40.1% from $45,463 (2019) to $63,706 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,175 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,712 (56.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri 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 Missouri
Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hannibal | $59,530 |
| Raymore | $59,724 |
| Branson | $59,952 |
| Belton | $60,995 |
| Wentzville | $61,514 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Missouri
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph | $64,181 | 86.382 | $74,299 |
| Cape Girardeau | $63,526 | 86.078 | $73,801 |
| Kansas City | $68,092 | 92.543 | $73,579 |
| Independence | $65,839 | 89.6 | $73,481 |
| Springfield | $64,847 | 88.585 | $73,203 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $55,944 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $67,337 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $82,287 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Missouri
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | $68,832 |
| 2 | Kansas City | $68,092 |
| 3 | Independence | $65,839 |
| 4 | St. Peters | $65,359 |
| 5 | St. Charles | $65,236 |
| 6 | Columbia | $65,185 |
| 7 | Springfield | $64,847 |
| 8 | O'Fallon | $64,479 |
| 9 | St. Joseph | $64,181 |
| 10 | Florissant | $64,142 |
| 11 | Wildwood | $64,001 |
| 12 | Kirkwood | $63,982 |
| 13 | Lee's Summit | $63,947 |
| 14 | Chesterfield | $63,938 |
| 15 | Jefferson City | $63,779 |
| 16 | University City | $63,603 |
| 17 | Liberty | $63,577 |
| 18 | Cape Girardeau | $63,526 |
| 19 | Grandview | $63,468 |
| 20 | Maryland Heights | $63,362 |
| 21 | Blue Springs | $62,645 |
| 22 | Joplin | $62,278 |
| 23 | Raytown | $62,271 |
| 24 | Webster Groves | $61,960 |
| 25 | Sedalia | $61,941 |
| 26 | Ballwin | $61,830 |
| 27 | Nixa | $61,825 |
| 28 | Gladstone | $61,660 |
| 29 | Wentzville | $61,514 |
| 30 | Belton | $60,995 |
| 31 | Branson | $59,952 |
| 32 | Raymore | $59,724 |
| 33 | Hannibal | $59,530 |
More Missouri Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Missouri cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new licensed practical nurses.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Compare Cities in Missouri
View all comparisons →Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Missouri in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Missouri?
How does Missouri licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Missouri?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Missouri?
Which Missouri 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 Missouri. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 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