Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in New York: $75,861 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New York's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $75,861/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because New York sits at BEA RPP 115.9 (16% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,454 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: New York ($75,910), Poughkeepsie ($67,382), Kiryas Joel ($66,360).
In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in New York are projected to earn an average median salary of $75,861, which is 11.4% higher than the national median of $68,071. The highest salaries can be found in New York City, where LPNs can earn approximately $80,237, while the lowest salaries occur in Cortland at $61,199. This $19,038 difference reflects variances in the cost of living, demand for healthcare professionals, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban versus rural areas. New York has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence salary expectations for LPNs. The state is home to a strong healthcare sector, with factors driving demand including an aging population and increased healthcare needs. The total number of employed LPNs in New York is projected at 47,560, indicating a solid job market. The employment of LPNs is expected to grow at an annual compounded growth rate of 5.70%, which mirrors the overall demand for nursing roles. Additionally, cities like Poughkeepsie, Kiryas Joel, Kingston, and Newburgh are expected to offer salaries between $68,619 and $71,223, showing consistent demand across diverse metropolitan areas.
New York Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in New York: $48,739 (lowest entry-level) to $94,073 (highest top earner)
New York vs National Average
New York licensed practical nurses earn 11.44% more than the national median (+$7,790/year difference).
New York Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in New York range from $62,659 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $87,852 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $75,861. The New York median is $7,790 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $36.48/hr. Approximately 47,560 licensed practical nurses are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,654
2025 BLS Actual
$71,770
2026 Current Est.
$75,861
2019–2027 Growth
+52.3%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in New York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,654 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,577 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,252 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,914 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,523 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,756 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,861 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,185 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New York metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 36.3% from $52,654 (2019) to $71,770 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,185 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,531 (52.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New York 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New York
Lowest Paying Cities in New York
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Cortland | $61,199 |
| Plattsburgh | $61,384 |
| Oneonta | $62,024 |
| Amsterdam | $62,174 |
| Lackawanna | $62,203 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in New York
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New York cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | $63,758 | 87.69 | $72,708 |
| New York | $80,237 | 112.563 | $71,282 |
| Binghamton | $66,052 | 92.863 | $71,128 |
| Elmira | $67,003 | 94.398 | $70,979 |
| Utica | $65,407 | 92.678 | $70,574 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New York
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $62,659 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $75,861 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $87,852 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New York metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in New York
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $80,237 |
| 2 | Poughkeepsie | $71,223 |
| 3 | Kiryas Joel | $70,143 |
| 4 | Kingston | $69,392 |
| 5 | Newburgh | $68,619 |
| 6 | Ithaca | $68,420 |
| 7 | Yonkers | $68,177 |
| 8 | Elmira | $67,003 |
| 9 | Troy | $66,994 |
| 10 | Buffalo | $66,982 |
| 11 | New Rochelle | $66,771 |
| 12 | Syracuse | $66,464 |
| 13 | Binghamton | $66,052 |
| 14 | Mount Vernon | $66,023 |
| 15 | Albany | $65,693 |
| 16 | Glens Falls | $65,661 |
| 17 | Rochester | $65,597 |
| 18 | Long Beach | $65,515 |
| 19 | Niagara Falls | $65,479 |
| 20 | Utica | $65,407 |
| 21 | Spring Valley | $64,777 |
| 22 | Rome | $64,740 |
| 23 | White Plains | $64,692 |
| 24 | Jamestown | $64,612 |
| 25 | Valley Stream | $64,509 |
| 26 | Schenectady | $64,266 |
| 27 | Middletown | $64,240 |
| 28 | Hempstead | $64,170 |
| 29 | Saratoga Springs | $63,854 |
| 30 | Watertown | $63,758 |
| 31 | North Tonawanda | $63,477 |
| 32 | Auburn | $63,168 |
| 33 | Freeport | $62,988 |
| 34 | Oswego | $62,333 |
| 35 | Lackawanna | $62,203 |
| 36 | Amsterdam | $62,174 |
| 37 | Oneonta | $62,024 |
| 38 | Plattsburgh | $61,384 |
| 39 | Cortland | $61,199 |
More New York Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in New York cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new licensed practical nurses.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Compare Cities in New York
View all comparisons →Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in New York in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in New York?
How does New York licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in New York?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in New York?
Which New York city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across New York. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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