Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Bismarck, ND: $65,206 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Bismarck, ND earns a median $65,206/year (≈ $31.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Bismarck's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $71,636 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bismarck, North Dakota, the landscape for licensed practical nurse salary in Bismarck is influenced by the choice of work setting, with skilled nursing facilities typically offering higher compensation compared to home health and clinic environments. For 2026, the median annual pay is projected at $65,206, with salaries ranging from $54,309 at the lower end (P10) to $79,951 for those at the top percentile (P90). These figures, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflect local market conditions and the demand for skilled professionals in nursing care. Factors such as work environment, patient demographics, and institutional policies play a significant role in helping shape the variations in salaries across these sectors within Bismarck.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,309 | $26.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,930 | $29.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,206 | $31.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,202 | $33.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,951 | $38.44 |
Median Salary Position
4.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bismarck
In Bismarck, ND, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,642 (2026 est.). At $65,206, the local median is 4.21% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bismarck: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bismarck Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Bismarck median: $65,206/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bismarck Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $62,638 | +4.10% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -4.21% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Bismarck, ND earn a median of $65,206 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.21% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.10% above the North Dakota state average of $62,638.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bismarck has a cost of living 8.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bismarck, ND has a cost-of-living index of 91.024 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,206 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,636 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,470
2025 BLS Actual
$61,690
2026 Current Est.
$65,206
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,206 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,923 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bismarck metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 27.3% from $48,470 (2019) to $61,690 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,923 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,453 (42.20%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bismarck 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) | $54,309 – $61,930 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,930 – $65,206 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,206 – $69,202 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,202 – $79,951 |
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 Bismarck
In this market, there are approximately 310 licensed practical nurses employed in Bismarck, ND, contributing to a competitive job market that also factors in the local cost of living index, which stands at 91.024, indicating a below-average cost of living. This dynamic enhances the purchasing power of LPNs, particularly when combined with higher wages from skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to factors such as shift differentials, certifications like IV therapy, and additional pay for weekends and holidays, particularly in long-term care settings. To maximize earning potential, LPNs in Bismarck should consider positions in skilled nursing facilities, pursue specialized certifications, and take advantage of any opportunities for advancement, such as LPN-to-RN bridge programs, to secure more lucrative roles within the healthcare system.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
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 $61,690 for licensed practical nursesin the Bismarck 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