Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Joplin, MO: $62,278 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Joplin, MO earns a median $62,278/year (≈ $29.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Joplin's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $72,655 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Joplin, Missouri, the licensed practical nurse salary in Joplin is projected to be a median of $62,278 in 2026, which falls below the national average of $68,071. LPNs in the area can expect to earn between $50,747 and $77,108, indicating that the local job market offers varying compensation based on factors such as experience and work environment. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, underscores the importance of understanding the nuanced pay structures in different healthcare settings. Skilled nursing facilities generally offer the highest salaries, reflecting the complexity and demand of long-term care compared to home health agencies or clinical environments in Joplin.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,747 | $24.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,679 | $26.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,278 | $29.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,870 | $32.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,108 | $37.07 |
Median Salary Position
8.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joplin
In Joplin, MO, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,361 (2026 est.). At $62,278, the local median is 8.51% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joplin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joplin Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Joplin median: $62,278/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joplin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $64,537 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -8.51% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Joplin, MO earn a median of $62,278 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.51% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 3.50% below the Missouri state average of $64,537.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joplin has a cost of living 14.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Joplin, MO has a cost-of-living index of 85.718 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $62,278 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,655 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,310
2025 BLS Actual
$58,920
2026 Current Est.
$62,278
2019–2027 Growth
+63.3%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Joplin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,278 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,828 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joplin metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 46.2% from $40,310 (2019) to $58,920 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,828 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,518 (63.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joplin 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) | $50,747 – $54,679 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,679 – $62,278 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,278 – $67,870 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,870 – $77,108 |
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 Joplin
With approximately 400 licensed practical nurses employed in Joplin, the job market reflects a robust demand for nursing services. The cost-of-living index in Joplin stands at 85.718, which is below the national average, providing some advantage to LPNs regarding purchasing power. While skilled nursing facilities tend to pay the most, LPNs can maximize their salaries by capitalizing on shift differentials, additional certifications like IV therapy, and taking on roles at locations that provide weekend and holiday premiums. Understanding the compensation structures associated with various employment settings in Joplin MO will enable practical nurses to better navigate their career paths and improve their overall earning potential.
More salary data for Joplin, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $58,920 for licensed practical nursesin the Joplin 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