Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Billings, MT: $63,948 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Billings, MT earns a median $63,948/year (≈ $30.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Billings's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $68,375 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual compensation of $63,948 for licensed practical nurses in Billings, MT, the area presents competitive earning potential in the realm of long-term care. The salary range spans from $41,836 at the 10th percentile to a high of $76,802 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse employment scenarios and specialized roles. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicates that while the local LPN pay rates are slightly below the national median of $68,071, the job market for practical nurses remains robust. Shift differentials and weekend premiums often supplement base salaries, particularly in long-term care environments, making these positions increasingly attractive to those entering or advancing within the healthcare sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,836 | $20.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,036 | $25.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,948 | $30.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,859 | $32.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,802 | $36.92 |
Median Salary Position
6.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
In Billings, MT, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,966 (2026 est.). At $63,948, the local median is 6.06% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Billings: You'd be above the median
How Billings Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Billings median: $63,948/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Billings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $66,752 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -6.06% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Billings, MT earn a median of $63,948 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.06% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.20% below the Montana state average of $66,752.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Billings has a cost of living 6.47% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Billings, MT has a cost-of-living index of 93.526 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $63,948 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,375 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.92% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,990
2025 BLS Actual
$60,500
2026 Current Est.
$63,948
2019–2027 Growth
+47.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,948 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,594 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Billings metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 31.6% from $45,990 (2019) to $60,500 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,594 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,604 (46.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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) | $41,836 – $52,036 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,036 – $63,948 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,948 – $67,859 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,859 – $76,802 |
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 Billings
Focusing on the local job market in Billings, approximately 370 licensed practical nurses are currently employed, underscoring solid demand for this profession. The cost-of-living index stands at 93.526, which is below the national average and suggests that LPNs in the area enjoy a relative advantage regarding purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest salaries, followed closely by hospitals and home health agencies. Factors such as IV therapy certification stipends, shift differentials, and additional pay for weekends and holidays create a wide pay scale, rewarding nurses who are flexible and willing to work off-peak hours. To maximize earning potential in Billings, practical nurses should consider seeking roles in higher-paying settings, pursue additional certifications, and remain open to varied shifts which can increase overall pay significantly, aligning their careers with the core needs of the local healthcare system.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
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 $60,500 for licensed practical nursesin the Billings 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