Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Lincoln, NE: $66,665 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Lincoln, NE earns a median $66,665/year (≈ $32.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $72,793 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lincoln, NE, licensed practical nurses can expect a median annual salary of $66,665 in 2026, which reflects a slight disadvantage compared to the national median of $68,071. The projected salary range for the profession in Lincoln shows a lower entry-level salary of $53,579, with potential earnings reaching up to $81,357 for more experienced practitioners. These figures stem from comprehensive data derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. As the healthcare landscape evolves, different employment settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and outpatient clinics significantly impact salary potential, indicating that LPNs working in long-term care sectors generally earn more than those in home health settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,579 | $25.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,486 | $29.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,665 | $32.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,960 | $36.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,357 | $39.12 |
Median Salary Position
2.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,778 (2026 est.). At $66,665, the local median is 2.07% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lincoln Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $66,665/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $62,304 | +7.00% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -2.07% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $66,665 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.07% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.00% above the Nebraska state average of $62,304.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $66,665 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,793 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,140
2025 BLS Actual
$63,070
2026 Current Est.
$66,665
2019–2027 Growth
+59.6%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,665 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,465 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 42.9% from $44,140 (2019) to $63,070 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,465 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,325 (59.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $53,579 – $61,486 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,486 – $66,665 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,665 – $76,960 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,960 – $81,357 |
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 Lincoln
Looking at the local job market, Lincoln employs approximately 660 licensed practical nurses, offering a solid foundation for career opportunities in the area. With a cost of living index of 91.581, LPNs may find their take-home pay stretches further compared to higher-cost metros. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most competitive wages, boosted by the need for weekend and holiday differential pay and incentives for specialized skills like IV therapy certification. The disparity in salaries within the profession can be attributed to various factors, including employer type and specific role responsibilities. For those aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing positions in long-term care while being open to shift work can provide a financial edge in the Lincoln market, especially given the ongoing demand for nursing staff.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Lincoln?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Lincoln?
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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 $63,070 for licensed practical nursesin the Lincoln 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