Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Grand Forks, ND: $63,948 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Grand Forks, ND earns a median $63,948/year (≈ $30.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Grand Forks's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.7), that paycheck buys what $73,789 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Grand Forks, North Dakota, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $63,948, which is approximately 6.06% lower than the national median of $68,071. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly from $53,495 at the 10th percentile to $78,852 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the differences in pay based on the type of employment setting. Generally, LPNs working in skilled nursing facilities tend to earn more than those in home health or physician offices. The job market in Grand Forks shows a stable demand for licensed practical nurses, further supporting the competitive salary landscape in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,495 | $25.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,488 | $28.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,948 | $30.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,606 | $32.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,852 | $37.91 |
Median Salary Position
6.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Forks
In Grand Forks, ND, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,357 (2026 est.). At $63,948, the local median is 6.06% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Forks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Forks Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Grand Forks median: $63,948/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Forks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $62,633 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -6.06% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $63,948 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.06% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.10% above the North Dakota state average of $62,633.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Forks has a cost of living 13.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Forks, ND has a cost-of-living index of 86.663 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $63,948 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,789 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.39% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,710
2025 BLS Actual
$60,500
2026 Current Est.
$63,948
2019–2027 Growth
+47.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Grand Forks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,948 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,594 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Forks metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 32.4% from $45,710 (2019) to $60,500 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,594 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,884 (47.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Forks 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) | $53,495 – $59,488 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,488 – $63,948 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,948 – $67,606 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,606 – $78,852 |
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 Grand Forks
The local job market in Grand Forks employs around 300 licensed practical nurses, and with a cost-of-living index of 86.663—below the national average—this figure suggests that LPNs can enjoy a relatively high purchasing power. In this environment, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest salaries, followed by hospitals and assisted living communities, while home health agencies may pay lower wages. Factors contributing to the salary range include shift differentials, certification stipends, and premium pay for weekends and holidays. For those in the LPN profession looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing additional certifications or seeking night and weekend shifts in long-term care can prove beneficial. Understanding the local market dynamics is key on the path to advancing your career and salary trajectory in Grand Forks, ND.
More salary data for Grand Forks, 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 $60,500 for licensed practical nursesin the Grand Forks 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