Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in New Brunswick, NJ: $78,717 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in New Brunswick, NJ earns a median $78,717/year (≈ $37.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in New Brunswick's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $68,331 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in New Brunswick, NJ, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $78,717, which represents a significant premium of approximately 15.64% over the national median of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in this area progresses from $59,694 at the 10th percentile to $101,089 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the influence of factors like shift differentials and weekend premiums that can enhance earnings, particularly in long-term care settings. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and consider local cost-of-living adjustments relevant to New Brunswick, which carry a higher index at 115.2. The city’s job market for LPNs remains competitive, with various employers looking for skilled nursing professionals to meet the growing healthcare demands.
About the New Brunswick Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,694 | $28.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,700 | $33.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,717 | $37.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,981 | $44.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,089 | $48.60 |
Median Salary Position
15.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Brunswick
In New Brunswick, NJ, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,395 (2026 est.). At $78,717, the local median is 15.64% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Brunswick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
New Brunswick median: $78,717/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Brunswick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $78,403 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +15.64% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in New Brunswick, NJ earn a median of $78,717 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.64% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.40% above the New Jersey state average of $78,403.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Brunswick has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Brunswick, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,717 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $68,331 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,906
2025 BLS Actual
$74,472
2026 Current Est.
$78,717
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in New Brunswick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,906 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,455 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,588 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,162 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,072 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,166 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,472 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,717 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,204 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Brunswick metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $54,906 (2019) to $74,472 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,204 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,298 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Brunswick 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) | $59,694 – $70,700 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,700 – $78,717 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,717 – $92,981 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,981 – $101,089 |
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 New Brunswick
The local job market presents a modest landscape, with only 8 licensed practical nurses currently employed in New Brunswick. Compensation structures reflect the cost-of-living index, which indicates that take-home pay may not stretch as far compared to less urban areas. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest salaries, followed closely by home health agencies and hospitals. Discrepancies in pay often arise from variations in job settings—skilled nursing tends to pay more than home health or physician office roles—along with added bonuses for certifications like IV therapy. To maximize potential earnings in New Brunswick’s LPN market, professionals should explore opportunities in long-term care facilities, seek shift differentials, and take advantage of any available stipends for specialization. Transitioning to higher roles through LPN-to-RN bridge pathways may also open up avenues for increased compensation and broader professional opportunities.
More salary data for New Brunswick, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in New Brunswick, NJ in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in New Brunswick?
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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 $74,472 for licensed practical nursesin the New Brunswick 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 New Brunswick 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