Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in North Platte, NE: $57,917 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in North Platte, NE earns a median $57,917/year (≈ $27.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in North Platte's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $63,297 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In North Platte, Nebraska, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) earn a median annual salary of $57,917, significantly influenced by the state's scope-of-practice rules that allow for IV therapy and patient assessments. The salary range for LPNs here spans from $48,964 at the lower end (P10) to $70,821 at the upper end (P90), reflecting the variability in roles and settings they may occupy. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, also point out that the earning potential is approximately 14.92% below the national average salary of $68,071 for LPNs. Given North Platte's stable employment market, with four licensed practical nurses currently working in the area, those seeking to enter or grow within this profession need to understand these local compensation dynamics.
About the North Platte Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($53,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,964 | $23.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,465 | $26.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,917 | $27.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,717 | $32.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,821 | $34.05 |
Median Salary Position
14.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Platte
In North Platte, NE, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,857 (2026 est.). At $57,917, the local median is 14.92% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Platte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Platte Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
North Platte median: $57,917/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Platte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $62,277 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -14.92% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in North Platte, NE earn a median of $57,917 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.92% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.00% below the Nebraska state average of $62,277.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Platte 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.
North Platte, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $57,917 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,297 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,398
2025 BLS Actual
$54,794
2026 Current Est.
$57,917
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in North Platte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,398 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,538 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,473 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,821 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,095 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,794 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,917 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,219 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Platte metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $40,398 (2019) to $54,794 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,219 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,821 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Platte 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) | $48,964 – $55,465 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,465 – $57,917 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,917 – $66,717 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,717 – $70,821 |
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 North Platte
Examining the local job market reveals that while the number of employed LPNs in North Platte is limited, this also means opportunities may arise quickly for those entering the field. The cost-of-living index in the area is 91.5, which indicates a lower cost of living compared to the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of salaries earned. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest pay, followed by long-term care settings and hospice environments. Factors contributing to the variation in pay include shift differentials, certifications such as IV therapy, and bonuses for weekend or holiday shifts. To maximize earnings in this market, pursuing specialty certifications and considering employment in skilled nursing facilities, which offer higher wages, can provide career advancements for LPNs in North Platte, NE.
More salary data for North Platte, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in North Platte?
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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 $54,794 for licensed practical nursesin the North Platte 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 North Platte 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