Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Columbia, MO: $65,185 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Columbia, MO earns a median $65,185/year (≈ $31.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $72,883 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbia, MO, the landscape of licensed practical nurse salaries reflects the diverse settings in which these healthcare professionals operate. The 2026 median annual salary is projected at $65,185, which slightly trails the national median of $68,071, indicating a competitive compensation environment given the local context. With salaries ranging from $51,666 at the 10th percentile to $79,571 at the 90th percentile, there are substantial earnings potential differences based on the work setting. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher pay compared to home health agencies or physician offices, a consideration for LPNs weighing their employment options. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, showcases the gradual increase in salaries in line with the job market's demand for practical nursing roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,666 | $24.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,032 | $26.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,185 | $31.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,487 | $33.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,571 | $38.25 |
Median Salary Position
4.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, MO, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,905 (2026 est.). At $65,185, the local median is 4.24% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbia Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Columbia median: $65,185/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $64,540 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -4.24% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Columbia, MO earn a median of $65,185 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.24% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.00% above the Missouri state average of $64,540.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 10.56% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.438 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,185 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,883 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.81% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,990
2025 BLS Actual
$61,670
2026 Current Est.
$65,185
2019–2027 Growth
+60.3%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,185 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,901 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 43.5% from $42,990 (2019) to $61,670 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,901 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,911 (60.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $51,666 – $56,032 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,032 – $65,185 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,185 – $69,487 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,487 – $79,571 |
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 Columbia
As of 2025, approximately 800 licensed practical nurses are employed in Columbia, contributing to a robust job market. However, the cost of living index stands at 89.438, suggesting that LPNs in this area experience favorable purchasing power compared to many other regions. Skilled nursing facilities and long-term care settings frequently provide the highest compensation, driven by factors like shift differentials and the demand for certifications, such as IV therapy. Home health positions often pay less, reflecting the varied nature of patient care settings. To maximize earnings potential, practical nurses should seek positions in environments that offer additional compensation incentives, like weekend or holiday shifts. For those looking to advance their careers, engaging in LPN-to-RN bridge programs can also enhance job prospects and salary potential, aligning career growth with market demands.
More salary data for Columbia, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Columbia?
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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 $61,670 for licensed practical nursesin the Columbia 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
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