Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Rahway, NJ: $74,182 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Rahway, NJ earns a median $74,182/year (≈ $35.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Rahway's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $64,394 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rahway, New Jersey, the licensed practical nurse salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $74,182 by 2026. This position offers a salary range that spans from $59,298 at the 10th percentile to $93,985 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, reveal a competitive pay scale, particularly when compared to the national average of $68,071. The local job market benefits from the demand for skilled nursing, where factors such as shift differentials and weekend premiums significantly enhance overall compensation, making the licensed practical nurse role in Rahway appealing, especially for individuals looking to advance in long-term care settings.
About the Rahway Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,298 | $28.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,669 | $33.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,182 | $35.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,206 | $41.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,985 | $45.19 |
Median Salary Position
8.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rahway
In Rahway, NJ, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,687 (2026 est.). At $74,182, the local median is 8.98% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rahway: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rahway Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Rahway median: $74,182/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rahway Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $78,417 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +8.98% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Rahway, NJ earn a median of $74,182 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.98% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 5.40% below the New Jersey state average of $78,417.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rahway has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rahway, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,182 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,394 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,743
2025 BLS Actual
$70,182
2026 Current Est.
$74,182
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Rahway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,743 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,203 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,386 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,524 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,093 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,835 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,182 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,182 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,411 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rahway metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $51,743 (2019) to $70,182 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,411 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,668 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rahway 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) | $59,298 – $68,669 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,669 – $74,182 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,182 – $87,206 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,206 – $93,985 |
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 Rahway
With only nine licensed practical nurses currently employed in Rahway, the local job market is relatively small yet focused. The cost-of-living index of 115.2 indicates that living expenses are above the national average, which impacts take-home purchasing power. Among the area's employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the best pay, with additional compensation available for those who work weekends or have specific certifications like IV therapy. Shift differentials are common, which can widen the gap between lower and higher salaries in the nursing field here. To maximize earnings in Rahway, licensed practical nurses might consider pursuing additional certifications or taking advantage of flexible scheduling opportunities that capitalize on higher-demand shifts, thereby improving their overall financial outlook.
More salary data for Rahway, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Rahway, NJ in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Rahway?
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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 $70,182 for licensed practical nursesin the Rahway 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 Rahway 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