Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Union City, NJ: $77,339 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Union City, NJ earns a median $77,339/year (≈ $37.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Union City's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $67,135 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Union City, NJ, the salary for licensed practical nurses reflects the diverse employment settings available within the healthcare industry. As projected for 2026, the median annual compensation stands at $77,339, significantly higher than the national median of $68,071, marking a difference of 13.62%. The salary range for LPNs in this area spans from $62,639 at the 10th percentile to $101,682 at the 90th percentile. These figures consider both the prevailing local market conditions and the cost of living adjustments based on BLS state-level data and BEA regional price parities. Union City’s structure of care facilities impacts pay considerably, highlighting the varying compensation levels depending on whether nurses work in skilled nursing facilities, home health, or clinic settings.
About the Union City Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,639 | $30.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,453 | $34.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,339 | $37.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,534 | $44.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,682 | $48.89 |
Median Salary Position
13.62% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union City
In Union City, NJ, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,043 (2026 est.). At $77,339, the local median is 13.62% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Union City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Union City Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Union City median: $77,339/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $78,437 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | +13.62% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Union City, NJ earn a median of $77,339 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.62% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.40% below the New Jersey state average of $78,437.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union City has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union City, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,339 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $67,135 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,944
2025 BLS Actual
$73,168
2026 Current Est.
$77,339
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,944 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,467 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,615 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,056 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,862 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,168 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,339 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,747 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union City metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $53,944 (2019) to $73,168 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,747 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,803 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union City 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) | $62,639 – $72,453 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,453 – $77,339 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,339 – $92,534 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,534 – $101,682 |
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 Union City
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Union City is relatively stable, with only 17 professionals currently employed in the area. Compounded by a cost-of-living index of 115.2, this higher expense of living can slightly diminish purchasing power for local LPNs. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer better compensation compared to home health agencies, hospitals, and physician offices, with opportunities for increased earnings through shift differentials and weekend premiums. The ability to specialize, such as obtaining IV therapy certification, also contributes to salary variations within the market. To maximize earning potential, LPNs should seek out roles in long-term care environments and consider opportunities for further training that aligns with local hiring trends, paving the way for career advancement toward RN positions.
More salary data for Union City, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $73,168 for licensed practical nursesin the Union City 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 Union City 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