Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Ithaca, NY: $68,420 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Ithaca, NY earns a median $68,420/year (≈ $32.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Ithaca's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $66,223 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Ithaca, NY, the 2026 median annual salary for licensed practical nurses is projected to be $68,420, slightly above the national median of $68,071. This figure reflects the city's unique healthcare landscape, in which skilled nursing facilities tend to offer better compensation than home health or clinic settings, impacting overall pay dynamics significantly. The salary range for LPNs in the area spans from $58,262 at the 10th percentile to $77,362 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse market that accommodates various experience levels and specializations. These insights, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicate that Ithaca's job market remains competitive, with opportunities likely to grow as the demand for skilled nursing services increases.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,262 | $28.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,597 | $31.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,420 | $32.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,666 | $35.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,362 | $37.20 |
Median Salary Position
0.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ithaca
In Ithaca, NY, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,100 (2026 est.). At $68,420, the local median is 0.51% above the national median of $68,071.
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How Ithaca Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Ithaca median: $68,420/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ithaca Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $66,491 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +0.51% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Ithaca, NY earn a median of $68,420 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.51% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 2.90% above the New York state average of $66,491.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ithaca has a cost of living 3.32% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ithaca, NY has a cost-of-living index of 103.317 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $68,420 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,223 — a 3.21% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,640
2025 BLS Actual
$64,730
2026 Current Est.
$68,420
2019–2027 Growth
+62.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Ithaca (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,420 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,320 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ithaca metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 45.0% from $44,640 (2019) to $64,730 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,320 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,680 (62.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ithaca 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) | $58,262 – $65,597 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,597 – $68,420 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,420 – $74,666 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,666 – $77,362 |
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 Ithaca
With 220 licensed practical nurses currently employed in Ithaca, the local job market strengthens amid a cost-of-living index of 103.317, indicating that living expenses are slightly above the national average. This fact can impact take-home pay and purchasing power when considering salaries within various healthcare settings. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest compensation, followed by home health agencies and hospitals, while physician offices generally provide lower pay. Variations in pay are influenced by factors such as setting, shift differentials, and certification stipends, along with weekend and holiday premiums in long-term care. To maximize earnings in this market, licensed practical nurses should pursue additional certifications, seek positions in higher-paying settings, and negotiate wages where possible. Engaging in LPN-to-RN bridge programs can also enhance career advancement opportunities and earning potential in Ithaca's evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Ithaca, NY:
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 $64,730 for licensed practical nursesin the Ithaca 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