Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Plainfield, NJ: $78,270 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Plainfield, NJ earns a median $78,270/year (≈ $37.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Plainfield's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $67,943 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Plainfield, New Jersey, see a median annual salary of $78,270, reflecting a robust local healthcare market. This local estimate, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlights a salary range from $58,314 at the 10th percentile to $104,786 at the 90th percentile. The significant pay premium compared to the national median of $68,071 — approximately 14.98% higher — is indicative of the unique factors influencing licensed practical nurse pay in Plainfield NJ. The city's diverse nursing opportunities, particularly in skilled nursing facilities, contribute to higher wage potential and underscore the competitive job environment in the region.
About the Plainfield Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,314 | $28.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,757 | $33.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,270 | $37.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,079 | $43.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,786 | $50.38 |
Median Salary Position
14.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plainfield
In Plainfield, NJ, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,472 (2026 est.). At $78,270, the local median is 14.98% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plainfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plainfield Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Plainfield median: $78,270/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plainfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $78,427 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +14.98% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Plainfield, NJ earn a median of $78,270 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.98% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 0.20% below the New Jersey state average of $78,427.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plainfield has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Plainfield, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,270 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $67,943 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,594
2025 BLS Actual
$74,049
2026 Current Est.
$78,270
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,594 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,135 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,272 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,804 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,679 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,739 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,049 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,270 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,731 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plainfield metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $54,594 (2019) to $74,049 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,731 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,137 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plainfield 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) | $58,314 – $69,757 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,757 – $78,270 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,270 – $90,079 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,079 – $104,786 |
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 Plainfield
Looking deeper into the local job market, there are currently 10 licensed practical nurses employed in Plainfield, reflecting a concentrated sector in a competitive landscape. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, LPNs must consider how housing and daily expenses affect their purchasing power, especially when evaluating prospective employers. Skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest compensation, often surpassing pay from home health agencies or physician offices. Factors such as shift differentials, certifications like IV therapy, and weekend or holiday premiums considerably impact the salary variation from low to high. To maximize earnings in Plainfield, LPNs should consider seeking positions in long-term care, pursuing additional certifications, and negotiating shift differentials to enhance their income.
More salary data for Plainfield, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Plainfield, NJ in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Plainfield?
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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 $74,049 for licensed practical nursesin the Plainfield 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 Plainfield 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