Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Butte, MT: $64,848 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Butte, MT earns a median $64,848/year (≈ $31.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Butte's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $67,410 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Butte, MT, the expected median annual salary for a licensed practical nurse is projected at $64,848 for 2026, slightly trailing the national average of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in the area spans from $49,406 at the 10th percentile to $83,417 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variation in roles across different healthcare settings. This inclusive wage range signals that factors such as previous experience, workplace environment, and certification can substantially influence compensation. As local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data indicate, opportunities for LPNs are primarily concentrated in skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and outpatient clinics, each offering distinctly different compensation structures.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,406 | $23.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,692 | $29.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,848 | $31.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,852 | $36.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,417 | $40.10 |
Median Salary Position
4.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Butte
In Butte, MT, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,011 (2026 est.). At $64,848, the local median is 4.73% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Butte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Butte Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Butte median: $64,848/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Butte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $66,716 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -4.73% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Butte, MT earn a median of $64,848 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.73% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $66,716.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Butte has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Butte, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $64,848 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,410 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,232
2025 BLS Actual
$61,351
2026 Current Est.
$64,848
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,232 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,509 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,794 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,034 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,902 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,354 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,351 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,848 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,544 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Butte metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $45,232 (2019) to $61,351 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,544 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,312 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Butte 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) | $49,406 – $60,692 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,692 – $64,848 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,848 – $76,852 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,852 – $83,417 |
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 Butte
The employment landscape for licensed practical nurses in Butte is relatively small, with only seven professionals working in the area. This limited number of positions, combined with a below-average cost of living index at 96.2, suggests that LPNs may find their purchasing power affected despite an average salary. Employers like skilled nursing facilities typically offer the most competitive wages, followed by hospitals and hospice care, while home health agencies generally pay less. The wide salary range can be attributed to the varying pay hierarchies across healthcare settings, shift differentials for nighttime or weekend work, and the added value of specialized skills like IV therapy certification. For those looking to increase their earnings, pursuing additional certifications and considering roles in high-demand environments such as skilled nursing or emergency care could enhance their salary prospects in the Butte market.
More salary data for Butte, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Butte, MT in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Butte?
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Related Pages
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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 $61,351 for licensed practical nursesin the Butte 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
Salary data for Butte is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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