Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Los Alamos, NM: $59,227 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Los Alamos, NM earns a median $59,227/year (≈ $28.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Los Alamos's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $62,740 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a licensed practical nurse in Los Alamos, New Mexico, is $59,227, reflecting the local market's dynamics influenced by shift differentials and weekend premiums that enhance compensation for long-term care. The salary range for these positions spans from $49,193 at the 10th percentile to $73,483 at the 90th percentile, with estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price parities. While the median in Los Alamos is notably lower than the national median of $68,071, the area's focus on long-term care offers a stable demand for LPNs. This specific sector accounts for a substantial portion of employed nurses in Los Alamos, pointing to the unique role they play in community health care.
About the Los Alamos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,193 | $23.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,080 | $26.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,227 | $28.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,882 | $33.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,483 | $35.32 |
Median Salary Position
12.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Alamos
In Los Alamos, NM, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,290 (2026 est.). At $59,227, the local median is 12.99% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Alamos: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Alamos Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Los Alamos median: $59,227/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Alamos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $64,237 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -12.99% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Los Alamos, NM earn a median of $59,227 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.99% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.80% below the New Mexico state average of $64,237.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Alamos has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Alamos, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $59,227 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,740 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,311
2025 BLS Actual
$56,033
2026 Current Est.
$59,227
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Los Alamos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,311 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,477 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,825 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,524 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,204 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,033 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,227 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,603 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Alamos metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $41,311 (2019) to $56,033 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,603 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,292 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Alamos 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) | $49,193 – $56,080 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,080 – $59,227 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,227 – $68,882 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,882 – $73,483 |
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 Los Alamos
Currently, there are only six licensed practical nurses working in Los Alamos, highlighting a tight labor market that can drive competition for positions, particularly in skilled nursing facilities where salaries tend to be higher compared to home health agencies and physician offices. The cost-of-living index in Los Alamos stands at 94.4, slightly below the national average, which can impact take-home pay and overall purchasing power. Pay disparities among employers stem from various factors, including the setting, with skilled nursing facilities generally offering higher compensation compared to home health and office settings. Additionally, incentives such as shift differentials, IV therapy stipends, and holiday pay can significantly influence earnings. For LPNs seeking to maximize their salaries in Los Alamos, targeting positions in long-term care settings and pursuing certifications can enhance their bargaining power and overall compensation.
More salary data for Los Alamos, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Los Alamos?
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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 $56,033 for licensed practical nursesin the Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos 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