Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Springfield, MO: $64,847 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Springfield, MO earns a median $64,847/year (≈ $31.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Springfield's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.6), that paycheck buys what $73,203 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Licensed practical nurse salaries in Springfield, MO, are projected to reflect a median annual earning of $64,847 in 2026, signaling a competitive pay landscape compared to the national median of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs here varies significantly, with the lower 10th percentile earning about $52,237 and the upper 90th percentile making up to $78,968. These figures come from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, which highlights the active role of licensed practical nurses in the state. Missouri's scope of practice for LPNs, which includes IV therapy and comprehensive patient assessments, contributes to their compensation levels, reflecting the skills and responsibilities entrusted to them in various healthcare settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,237 | $25.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,395 | $27.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,847 | $31.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,035 | $32.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,968 | $37.97 |
Median Salary Position
4.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springfield
In Springfield, MO, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,731 (2026 est.). At $64,847, the local median is 4.74% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Springfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Springfield Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Springfield median: $64,847/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Springfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $64,524 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -4.74% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Springfield, MO earn a median of $64,847 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.74% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.50% above the Missouri state average of $64,524.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Springfield has a cost of living 11.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Springfield, MO has a cost-of-living index of 88.585 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $64,847 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,203 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,050
2025 BLS Actual
$61,350
2026 Current Est.
$64,847
2019–2027 Growth
+59.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,847 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,543 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Springfield metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 42.5% from $43,050 (2019) to $61,350 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,543 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,493 (59.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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) | $52,237 – $57,395 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,395 – $64,847 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,847 – $67,035 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,035 – $78,968 |
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 Springfield
In Springfield, approximately 1,160 licensed practical nurses are employed, making this sector a vital part of the local healthcare system. The cost of living index stands at 88.585, indicating that overall living expenses are below the national average, which positively impacts licensed practical nurse pay in Springfield, MO, and enhances purchasing power for residents. Key employers, such as skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, tend to offer the highest salaries, often due to the complexities of care required. Compensation disparities arise from factors like workplace setting, certification differentials for IV therapy, and premium pay for weekend and holiday shifts. For those seeking to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in Springfield, pursuing IV therapy certification and considering roles in higher-paying environments like long-term care or specialized health services can be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Springfield, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Springfield?
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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 $61,350 for licensed practical nursesin the Springfield 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