Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Helena, MT: $67,320 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Helena, MT earns a median $67,320/year (≈ $32.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Helena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $70,363 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Helena, Montana, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $67,320, which is slightly below the national average of $68,071. The salary range for licensed practical nurse pay in Helena MT extends from $54,330 at the 10th percentile to $84,095 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, reflects a local healthcare environment where LPNs benefit from a defined scope of practice that includes IV therapy and patient assessment, which often enhances their earning potential. The job market for licensed practical nurses in Helena is competitive, and the growing demand for healthcare services indicates that this occupation will continue to be a vital part of the community's health system.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,330 | $26.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,919 | $29.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,320 | $32.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,189 | $36.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,095 | $40.43 |
Median Salary Position
1.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Helena
In Helena, MT, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,765 (2026 est.). At $67,320, the local median is 1.1% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Helena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Helena Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Helena median: $67,320/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Helena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $66,720 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -1.10% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Helena, MT earn a median of $67,320 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.10% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.90% above the Montana state average of $66,720.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Helena has a cost of living 4.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Helena, MT has a cost-of-living index of 95.675 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $67,320 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,363 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,957
2025 BLS Actual
$63,690
2026 Current Est.
$67,320
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,957 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,282 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,018 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,071 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,320 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,158 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Helena metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $46,957 (2019) to $63,690 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,158 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,201 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Helena 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) | $54,330 – $61,919 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,919 – $67,320 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,320 – $76,189 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,189 – $84,095 |
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 Helena
With 120 licensed practical nurses employed within the area, Helena's job market remains robust, offering various opportunities for LPNs across skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and hospitals. The cost-of-living index in Helena stands at 95.675, indicating a higher take-home purchasing power compared to national averages. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher wages than home health agencies or physician offices, reflecting the varied demands and certifications required in different settings. The disparity in salaries can be influenced by shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and additional compensation for weekend or holiday work in long-term care. To maximize their salary potential, LPNs should seek opportunities that offer these perks, consider additional certifications, and remain aware of shifts within the healthcare labor market in Helena.
More salary data for Helena, 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 $63,690 for licensed practical nursesin the Helena 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