Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Bozeman, MT: $67,426 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Bozeman, MT earns a median $67,426/year (≈ $32.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Bozeman's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.5), that paycheck buys what $65,775 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bozeman, Montana, the projected median annual salary for a licensed practical nurse is set at $67,426 for 2026, slightly below the national median of $68,071. The salary range reflects a strong labor market, varying from $52,343 at the lower end (10th percentile) up to $78,863 for those at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, suggests that LPNs working in skilled nursing facilities tend to earn more due to the specialized care required in long-term care settings compared to those in home health or physician offices. Bozeman's healthcare job market is expanding, which may bode well for prospective licensed practical nurses considering their employment options.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,343 | $25.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,122 | $31.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,426 | $32.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,366 | $35.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,863 | $37.91 |
Median Salary Position
0.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bozeman
In Bozeman, MT, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,520 (2026 est.). At $67,426, the local median is 0.95% below the national median of $68,071.
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How Bozeman Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Bozeman median: $67,426/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bozeman Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $66,758 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -0.95% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Bozeman, MT earn a median of $67,426 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.95% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.00% above the Montana state average of $66,758.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bozeman has a cost of living 2.51% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bozeman, MT has a cost-of-living index of 102.51 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,426 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $65,775 — a 2.45% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,030
2025 BLS Actual
$63,790
2026 Current Est.
$67,426
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Bozeman (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,358 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,615 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,103 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,164 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,426 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,269 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bozeman metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $47,030 (2019) to $63,790 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,269 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,239 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bozeman 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) | $52,343 – $65,122 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,122 – $67,426 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,426 – $73,366 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,366 – $78,863 |
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 Bozeman
With approximately 110 licensed practical nurses currently employed in the area, Bozeman's local healthcare market presents a relatively stable job opportunity. Notably, the cost of living in the city is slightly above the national average, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 102.51. This reality impacts the take-home purchasing power of LPNs when assessing their salaries. Skilled nursing facilities typically pay the highest in the region due to the demanding nature of long-term care, whereas home health agencies generally offer lower wages. Factors such as shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and extra pay for weekend or holiday shifts can significantly influence overall earnings. To maximize potential pay, LPNs in Bozeman could consider pursuing certifications that enhance their skill set, targeting positions in long-term care, or taking advantage of shift variance for higher compensation.
More salary data for Bozeman, 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 $63,790 for licensed practical nursesin the Bozeman 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, 2-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