Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Santa Fe, NM: $76,897 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Santa Fe, NM earns a median $76,897/year (≈ $36.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Santa Fe's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.8), that paycheck buys what $77,857 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.7% above the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Santa Fe, NM, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $76,897, reflecting a notable increase compared to the national median of $68,071 and presenting a pay premium of approximately 12.97%. The salary spectrum ranges from $55,947 at the 10th percentile to $90,796 at the 90th percentile, with substantial opportunities for advancement as practitioners gain experience. This data, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reveals the influence of the state's scope-of-practice rules—such as authorization for IV therapy and patient assessment—on compensation levels, thereby making Santa Fe an attractive market for licensed practical nurses looking to leverage their skills in a supportive environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,947 | $26.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,141 | $29.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,897 | $36.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,526 | $41.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,796 | $43.65 |
Median Salary Position
12.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Fe
In Santa Fe, NM, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,849 (2026 est.). At $76,897, the local median is 12.97% above the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Santa Fe: You'd be above the median
How Santa Fe Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Santa Fe median: $76,897/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Fe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $64,241 | +19.70% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +12.97% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Santa Fe, NM earn a median of $76,897 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.97% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 19.70% above the New Mexico state average of $64,241.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Fe has a cost of living 1.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Fe, NM has a cost-of-living index of 98.767 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $76,897 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,857 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,440
2025 BLS Actual
$72,750
2026 Current Est.
$76,897
2019–2027 Growth
+96.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Santa Fe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,897 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,280 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Fe metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 75.6% from $41,440 (2019) to $72,750 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,280 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,840 (96.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Fe 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) | $55,947 – $62,141 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,141 – $76,897 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,897 – $86,526 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,526 – $90,796 |
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 Santa Fe
Among the 70 licensed practical nurses currently employed in Santa Fe, NM, the cost of living index stands at 98.767, which is slightly below the national average. This factor affords a better purchasing power relative to earnings, especially in the high-demand long-term care sector. Facilities like skilled nursing homes typically offer the highest wages, while home health agencies and physician offices may present less lucrative options. The variation in salaries often stems from factors such as shift differentials for evenings and weekends, IV therapy certification stipends, and charge LPN roles. For LPNs aiming to maximize their income in this market, pursuing certifications and seeking employment in skilled nursing facilities, where pay tends to be higher, are effective strategies for achieving better licensed practical nurse pay in Santa Fe, NM.
More salary data for Santa Fe, NM:
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 $72,750 for licensed practical nursesin the Santa Fe 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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