Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Albany, NY: $65,693 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Albany, NY earns a median $65,693/year (≈ $31.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Albany's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $65,979 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albany, NY, licensed practical nurses can expect a median annual salary of $65,693 in 2026, which positions them slightly below the national median of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in the area spans from $56,010 at the 10th percentile to $78,229 at the 90th percentile. These figures derive from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The state’s scope-of-practice for LPNs, particularly their authority to perform IV therapy and conduct patient assessments, may influence compensation levels across various healthcare settings. Given that Albany employs approximately 2,130 licensed practical nurses, the job market appears robust, suggesting a steady demand for these professionals within the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,010 | $26.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,399 | $30.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,693 | $31.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,574 | $34.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,229 | $37.61 |
Median Salary Position
3.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albany
In Albany, NY, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,219 (2026 est.). At $65,693, the local median is 3.49% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Albany: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Albany Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Albany median: $65,693/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albany Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $66,490 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -3.49% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Albany, NY earn a median of $65,693 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.49% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.20% below the New York state average of $66,490.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albany has a cost of living 0.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albany, NY has a cost-of-living index of 99.566 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,693 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,979 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.44% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$44,520
2025 BLS Actual
$62,150
2026 Current Est.
$65,693
2019–2027 Growth
+56.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,693 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,437 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albany metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 39.6% from $44,520 (2019) to $62,150 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,437 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,917 (55.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albany 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) | $56,010 – $63,399 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,399 – $65,693 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,693 – $72,574 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,574 – $78,229 |
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 Albany
The local cost of living index in Albany stands at 99.566, indicating a slightly lower expenditure compared to the national average. This aspect directly impacts how much licensed practical nurses take home after considering living expenses. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and long-term care organizations typically offer competitive pay rates, often higher than home health agencies and physician offices. Moreover, shifts in compensation can arise from specialized certifications like IV therapy, as well as premium pay for weekend or holiday shifts in long-term care. To maximize earnings, LPNs in Albany should focus on gaining experience in high-paying settings, consider additional certifications, and remain open to diverse roles, which can provide them with valuable skills that increase their marketability in this competitive landscape.
More salary data for Albany, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Albany, NY in 2026?
Is Albany, NY a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Albany?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Albany?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Albany?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New York
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 $62,150 for licensed practical nursesin the Albany 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