Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Columbus, NE: $58,161 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Columbus, NE earns a median $58,161/year (≈ $27.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $63,564 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Columbus, Nebraska, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $58,161, which falls significantly below the national figure of $68,071. Their earnings will range from $49,836 at the lower tenth percentile to as much as $73,429 at the ninetieth percentile. With estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost differentials, these figures provide a clear snapshot of the compensation landscape for LPNs in the Columbus area. Employment settings play a critical role in determining salaries, with skilled nursing facilities generally offering higher pay compared to home health agencies or physician offices. Given the dynamics within the local job market, prospective LPNs should consider how the specific environment influences overall compensation.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($53,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,836 | $23.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,999 | $26.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,161 | $27.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,217 | $31.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,429 | $35.30 |
Median Salary Position
14.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, NE, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,593 (2026 est.). At $58,161, the local median is 14.56% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbus Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Columbus median: $58,161/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $62,271 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -14.56% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Columbus, NE earn a median of $58,161 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.56% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 6.60% below the Nebraska state average of $62,271.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $58,161 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,564 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$40,568
2025 BLS Actual
$55,025
2026 Current Est.
$58,161
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,568 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,713 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,072 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,669 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,035 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,284 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,025 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,161 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,477 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $40,568 (2019) to $55,025 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,477 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,909 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $49,836 – $55,999 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,999 – $58,161 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,161 – $65,217 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,217 – $73,429 |
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 Columbus
Currently, Columbus employs only four licensed practical nurses, indicating a highly concentrated job market that could limit immediate employment opportunities. Coupled with a lower cost-of-living index of 91.5, this reality means that while salaries may be modest relative to national averages, the purchasing power for LPNs is more favorable. Skilled nursing facilities often offer some of the highest salaries in the area, especially when factoring in additional compensation like shift differentials, IV therapy stipends, and premiums for holiday or weekend shifts. The variance in pay is largely influenced by the setting, with more demanding environments like long-term care typically providing greater financial rewards. For those seeking to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in Columbus, pursuing additional certifications and exploring all employment options—including correctional facilities and assisted living communities—could prove beneficial.
More salary data for Columbus, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Columbus, NE in 2026?
Is Columbus, NE a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Columbus?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Columbus?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Columbus?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Nebraska
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 $55,025 for licensed practical nursesin the Columbus 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 Columbus 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