Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Grand Island, NE: $64,572 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Grand Island, NE earns a median $64,572/year (≈ $31.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Grand Island's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.7), that paycheck buys what $74,514 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Island, NE, licensed practical nurses can expect a median annual salary of $64,572 in 2026, reflecting a competitive yet distinct position compared to the national median of $68,071. The salary spectrum ranges from $51,412 at the lower end to $77,108 for the most well-compensated practitioners. This variation often arises from the different types of healthcare settings that LPNs find themselves in, with skilled nursing facilities typically offering higher remuneration than home health agencies and physician offices. Such disparities highlight the importance of choosing the right practice environment, as it can directly impact overall earnings. This data is sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected into 2026, which provides insight into the local employment landscape and the financial incentives for LPNs in this region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,412 | $24.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,033 | $28.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,572 | $31.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,694 | $33.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,108 | $37.07 |
Median Salary Position
5.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Island
In Grand Island, NE, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,696 (2026 est.). At $64,572, the local median is 5.14% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Grand Island: You'd be above the median
How Grand Island Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Grand Island median: $64,572/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $62,268 | +3.70% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -5.14% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Grand Island, NE earn a median of $64,572 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.14% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 3.70% above the Nebraska state average of $62,268.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Island has a cost of living 13.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Island, NE has a cost-of-living index of 86.657 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $64,572 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,514 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,680
2025 BLS Actual
$61,090
2026 Current Est.
$64,572
2019–2027 Growth
+52.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Grand Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,572 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,253 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Island metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 36.7% from $44,680 (2019) to $61,090 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,253 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,573 (52.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Island 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) | $51,412 – $59,033 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,033 – $64,572 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,572 – $68,694 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,694 – $77,108 |
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 Grand Island
Examining the local job market, there are currently about 200 licensed practical nurses employed in Grand Island, indicating a stable demand for their services. Given the cost-of-living index of 86.657, LPNs in the area enjoy a purchasing power that can be quite favorable compared to some urban centers. The highest-paying employers include skilled nursing facilities, which tend to offer better compensation packages due to the complexity of care required, along with benefits like shift differentials and certification stipends for specialized skills such as IV therapy. The disparity between earnings can also be influenced by factors like work shifts, holiday premiums, and whether the position is in a long-term care or hospital setting. For LPNs looking to maximize their pay in Grand Island, focusing on skilled nursing roles and seeking certifications can be effective strategies to enhance their earnings.
More salary data for Grand Island, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Grand Island, NE in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Grand Island?
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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 $61,090 for licensed practical nursesin the Grand Island 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