Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Buffalo, NY: $66,982 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Buffalo, NY earns a median $66,982/year (≈ $32.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Buffalo's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $69,886 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Buffalo, NY, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $66,982, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the national average of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in the region spans from $54,784 at the lower end (P10) to $80,808 at the upper end (P90). This compensation data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicates that while Buffalo's pay may be a bit lower than the national figure, the local demand for qualified nursing staff suggests robust opportunities. Furthermore, shift differentials and weekend premiums in long-term care settings can significantly enhance overall earnings, making the licensed practical nurse salary in Buffalo competitive for those who strategically select their work environments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,784 | $26.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,458 | $30.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,982 | $32.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,851 | $34.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,808 | $38.86 |
Median Salary Position
1.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo
In Buffalo, NY, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,024 (2026 est.). At $66,982, the local median is 1.6% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buffalo Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Buffalo median: $66,982/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $66,450 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -1.60% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $66,982 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.60% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.80% above the New York state average of $66,450.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo has a cost of living 4.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buffalo, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.844 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $66,982 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,886 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,600
2025 BLS Actual
$63,370
2026 Current Est.
$66,982
2019–2027 Growth
+58.7%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,982 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,800 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 42.1% from $44,600 (2019) to $63,370 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,800 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,200 (58.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo 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) | $54,784 – $62,458 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,458 – $66,982 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,982 – $70,851 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,851 – $80,808 |
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 Buffalo
Buffalo's healthcare landscape employs approximately 3,220 licensed practical nurses, a figure that contributes to a healthy job market for the profession. The cost of living index in Buffalo stands at 95.844, meaning that living expenses are below the national average, which can positively affect take-home purchasing power for LPNs. Employers known to pay the most include skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, which often provide additional premiums for weekend shifts and specialized certifications such as IV therapy. There's a distinct pay disparity among different settings, with skilled nursing facilities typically offering higher wages compared to home health agencies or physician offices. To maximize earnings in Buffalo's market, LPNs should consider roles in long-term care, pursue shift differentials, seek out certifications that might come with stipends, and remain open to flexible scheduling that can include higher-paying weekend or holiday shifts.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Buffalo?
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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 $63,370 for licensed practical nursesin the Buffalo 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