Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in New Jersey: $76,788 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $76,788/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,656 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Jersey City ($77,213), Princeton ($76,879), Newark ($76,022).

Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in New Jersey - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — New Jersey licensed practical nurse salary overview (2026)

$76,788

Avg Median Salary

$36.92

Avg Hourly Rate

2,803

Metro Employed

Cities

The salary landscape for licensed practical nurses in New Jersey is quite favorable when compared to national averages. In 2026, the average median salary for LPNs in the state is projected to be $76,788, which is 12.8% higher than the national median of $68,071. The disparity between the highest paying city, Jersey City at $81,614, and the lowest, Camden at $72,955, indicates a difference of $8,659. Factors contributing to this gap include the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and competition among employers in metropolitan areas. New Jersey has specific licensing requirements for LPNs, including completion of an approved nursing program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. The state’s scope of practice laws allow LPNs to administer medications and perform basic patient care, which can influence salary levels based on responsibilities. The job market for LPNs in New Jersey is projected to grow at a rate of 5.70% annually, reflecting a consistent demand for healthcare professionals in various settings. With a total of 2,803 licensed practical nurses employed across 61 metro areas, the outlook remains strong, especially in cities like Jersey City, Princeton at $81,261, Newark at $80,355, Trenton at $79,677, and East Orange at $79,500 where opportunities are concentrated.

New Jersey Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$63,081

avg across 61 cities

Median

$76,788

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$89,327

avg across 61 cities

Overall salary range in New Jersey: $56,507 (lowest entry-level) to $111,822 (highest top earner)

New Jersey vs National Average

New Jersey

$76,788

National Median

$68,071

New Jersey licensed practical nurses earn 12.81% more than the national median (+$8,717/year difference).

New Jersey Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)

Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in New Jersey range from $63,081 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $89,327 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $76,788. The New Jersey median is $8,717 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $36.92/hr. Approximately 2,803 licensed practical nurses are employed across 61 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$54,786

2025 BLS Actual

$72,647

2026 Current Est.

$76,788

2019–2027 Growth

+48.1%

Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in New Jersey (2019–2027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2019	$54,786	Actual
2020	$55,254	Actual
2021	$57,999	Actual
2022	$59,299	Actual
2023	$62,771	Actual
2024	$69,971	Actual
2025	$72,647	Actual
2026(current)	$76,788	Estimated
2027	$81,165	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 32.6% from $54,786 (2019) to $72,647 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,165 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,379 (48.15%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Jersey 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Jersey

Jersey City

42 employed · $39.24/hr

$81,614

+6.28% vs avg

Princeton

6 employed · $39.07/hr

$81,261

+5.83% vs avg

Newark

61 employed · $38.63/hr

$80,355

+4.65% vs avg

Trenton

880 employed · $38.31/hr

$79,677

+3.76% vs avg

East Orange

9 employed · $38.22/hr

$79,500

+3.53% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Camden	$72,955	-4.99%	$35.07
Summit	$73,079	-4.83%	$35.13
Atlantic City	$73,092	-4.81%	$35.15
Rahway	$74,182	-3.39%	$35.66
Evesham	$74,510	-2.97%	$35.82

Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in New Jersey

When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Jersey cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Vineland	$75,480	95.968	$78,651
Trenton	$79,677	103.18	$77,221
Atlantic City	$73,092	98.857	$73,937
Jersey City	$81,614	115.2	$70,845
Princeton	$81,261	115.2	$70,539

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$63,081	$30.33	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$76,788	$36.92	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$89,327	$42.95	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Jersey metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 61 Cities in New Jersey

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Jersey City	$81,614	$39.24	$59,024	$107,692	42
2	Princeton	$81,261	$39.07	$64,324	$99,284	6
3	Newark	$80,355	$38.63	$56,507	$111,822	61
4	Trenton	$79,677	$38.31	$66,422	$85,501	880
5	East Orange	$79,500	$38.22	$61,570	$101,002	9
6	Franklin	$79,500	$38.22	$61,570	$100,798	15
7	Woodbridge	$79,478	$38.21	$57,783	$107,765	25
8	Parsippany-Troy Hills	$79,364	$38.16	$58,600	$100,548	8
9	Union	$79,164	$38.06	$60,439	$99,890	15
10	Elizabeth	$79,135	$38.04	$62,887	$106,604	25
11	Brick	$78,972	$37.97	$59,978	$102,137	18
12	Gloucester Township	$78,749	$37.86	$59,447	$98,522	10
13	New Brunswick	$78,717	$37.84	$59,694	$101,089	8
14	Howell	$78,457	$37.72	$59,076	$105,212	11
15	Paterson	$78,363	$37.67	$61,387	$104,002	31
16	Plainfield	$78,270	$37.63	$58,314	$104,786	10
17	Irvington	$78,152	$37.58	$58,277	$104,141	10
18	West New York	$78,034	$37.51	$57,998	$98,839	10
19	Piscataway	$77,978	$37.49	$57,947	$103,808	14
20	Jackson	$77,935	$37.47	$57,525	$98,713	10
21	Lakewood	$77,805	$37.41	$60,092	$105,039	31
22	West Orange	$77,760	$37.39	$61,860	$98,120	11
23	Montclair	$77,644	$37.33	$61,245	$95,189	10
24	Washington Township	$77,522	$37.27	$60,945	$97,543	12
25	Old Bridge	$77,494	$37.26	$62,933	$101,998	17
26	Edison	$77,373	$37.20	$59,098	$103,397	20
27	Union City	$77,339	$37.19	$62,639	$101,682	17
28	Toms River	$77,314	$37.17	$62,580	$96,690	17
29	Bridgewater	$77,224	$37.13	$60,211	$93,848	10
30	Middletown	$77,202	$37.11	$62,311	$96,328	15
31	Clifton	$76,965	$37.01	$61,746	$103,260	14
32	South Brunswick	$76,829	$36.94	$59,568	$100,045	7
33	Berkeley	$76,823	$36.93	$59,229	$100,025	7
34	Perth Amboy	$76,811	$36.93	$61,376	$99,945	13
35	Wayne	$76,786	$36.92	$61,317	$99,862	10
36	Linden	$76,774	$36.91	$59,434	$94,945	7
37	Passaic	$76,755	$36.90	$61,243	$102,561	18
38	East Brunswick	$76,726	$36.89	$59,316	$99,518	8
39	Bloomfield	$76,563	$36.80	$60,785	$99,132	11
40	Long Branch	$76,512	$36.78	$58,797	$99,014	8
41	Westfield	$76,300	$36.68	$57,960	$93,624	7
42	Hamilton	$76,220	$36.65	$59,899	$97,809	21
43	Sayreville	$76,196	$36.64	$58,031	$97,802	9
44	Cherry Hill	$76,183	$36.63	$59,577	$97,896	11
45	North Bergen	$76,047	$36.56	$59,568	$97,259	13
46	Hoboken	$75,978	$36.53	$57,112	$97,037	15
47	Kearny	$75,861	$36.47	$63,402	$96,677	11
48	Manalapan	$75,794	$36.43	$63,236	$96,509	8
49	Bayonne	$75,717	$36.40	$58,796	$99,151	16
50	Manchester	$75,545	$36.32	$62,380	$98,573	9
51	Vineland	$75,480	$36.29	$61,391	$79,180	370
52	Moorestown	$75,249	$36.18	$61,506	$89,230	4
53	Hackensack	$75,247	$36.18	$61,966	$94,761	8
54	Marlboro	$74,858	$35.99	$60,934	$93,529	9
55	Mount Laurel	$74,803	$35.96	$60,801	$93,355	11
56	Egg Harbor	$74,620	$35.87	$60,435	$92,964	8
57	Evesham	$74,510	$35.82	$60,169	$92,620	12
58	Rahway	$74,182	$35.66	$59,298	$93,985	9
59	Atlantic City	$73,092	$35.15	$63,325	$86,114	750
60	Summit	$73,079	$35.13	$62,369	$89,658	5
61	Camden	$72,955	$35.07	$56,745	$95,464	16

More New Jersey Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in New Jersey cities.

Jersey City →Princeton →Newark →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new licensed practical nurses.

Jersey City →Princeton →Newark →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.

Jersey City →Princeton →Newark →

Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data

National OverviewMedian salary & full US data Entry-Level SalariesStarting pay & new grad earnings Hourly Pay RatesPer-hour rates & part-time income Highest Paying StatesTop states ranked by salary

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do licensed practical nurses make in New Jersey in 2026?

The average median licensed practical nurse salary in New Jersey is $76,788/year across 61 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $72,955 in Camden to $81,614 in Jersey City. This makes New Jersey one of the higher-paying states, at 12.81% above the national median of $68,071. The state employs approximately 2,803 licensed practical nurses.

What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in New Jersey?

Jersey City offers the highest licensed practical nurse salary in New Jersey at $81,614/year ($39.24/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Jersey City ($81,614), Princeton ($81,261), Newark ($80,355). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for nursing services, and competition among employers for licensed licensed practical nurses.

How does New Jersey licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?

New Jersey's average licensed practical nurse salary of $76,788 is 12.81% above the national median of $68,071 in 2026. The state employs approximately 2,803 licensed practical nurses across 61 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in New Jersey?

Entry-level licensed practical nurses (10th percentile) in New Jersey earn approximately $63,081/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $56,507 in lower-paying areas to $66,422 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many licensed practical nurses are employed in New Jersey?

New Jersey employs approximately 2,803 licensed practical nurses across 61 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the nursing field expands and the population ages.

Which New Jersey city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?

When adjusted for cost of living, Vineland offers the highest purchasing power for licensed practical nurses in New Jersey, with an adjusted salary of $78,651 (nominal: $75,480, CoL index: 95.968). This means your dollar goes 4% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.

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.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

Statewide 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. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across New Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (2019–2025). 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

Last verified: June 10, 2026

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