Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Ohio: $66,074 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Ohio's 67 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $66,074/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Ohio sits at BEA RPP 90.7 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,849 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Cincinnati ($64,180), Cleveland ($63,900), Lorain ($62,659).
In Ohio, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can expect an average median salary of $66,074 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $68,071, reflecting a difference of -2.9%. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with the highest-paying city being Cincinnati at $67,838 and the lowest-paying being Solon at $60,219, creating a notable gap of $7,619. Variations in salaries among cities can be influenced by factors such as demand for healthcare services, living costs, and local healthcare facility resources. Ohio has specific licensing requirements for LPNs, including completion of an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. Additionally, the scope of practice for LPNs in the state outlines their responsibilities, which can impact their earning potential. As healthcare demands increase, particularly with an aging population, the job market for LPNs is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.70%. Major cities such as Cleveland, Lorain, Sandusky, and Parma also offer competitive salaries, with projections of $67,542, $66,231, $66,084, and $66,049 respectively. This growth rate and regional salary differences indicate a dynamic job landscape for aspiring LPNs in Ohio.
Ohio Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Ohio: $47,856 (lowest entry-level) to $87,883 (highest top earner)
Ohio vs National Average
Ohio licensed practical nurses earn 2.93% less than the national median ($-1,997/year difference).
Ohio Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Ohio range from $53,651 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $78,697 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,074. The Ohio median is $1,997 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $31.76/hr. Approximately 33,277 licensed practical nurses are employed across 67 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,704
2025 BLS Actual
$62,511
2026 Current Est.
$66,074
2019–2027 Growth
+52.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Ohio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,704 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,713 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,962 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,446 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,511 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,074 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,840 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ohio metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 36.8% from $45,704 (2019) to $62,511 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,840 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,136 (52.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ohio 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Ohio
Lowest Paying Cities in Ohio
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Solon | $60,219 |
| Centerville | $60,230 |
| Avon Lake | $60,363 |
| Wadsworth | $60,406 |
| Tiffin | $60,456 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Ohio
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Ohio cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandusky | $66,084 | 89.281 | $74,018 |
| Lima | $65,619 | 89.669 | $73,179 |
| Lorain | $66,231 | 90.7 | $73,022 |
| Parma | $66,049 | 90.7 | $72,821 |
| Cuyahoga Falls | $65,779 | 90.7 | $72,524 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Ohio
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $53,651 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,074 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $78,697 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Ohio metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 67 Cities in Ohio
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cincinnati | $67,838 |
| 2 | Cleveland | $67,542 |
| 3 | Lorain | $66,231 |
| 4 | Sandusky | $66,084 |
| 5 | Parma | $66,049 |
| 6 | Toledo | $65,830 |
| 7 | Cuyahoga Falls | $65,779 |
| 8 | Lima | $65,619 |
| 9 | Akron | $65,608 |
| 10 | Hamilton | $65,551 |
| 11 | Columbus | $65,439 |
| 12 | Beavercreek | $65,392 |
| 13 | Dayton | $65,291 |
| 14 | Lakewood | $65,193 |
| 15 | Bowling Green | $65,106 |
| 16 | Lancaster | $65,086 |
| 17 | Zanesville | $65,081 |
| 18 | Westlake | $64,969 |
| 19 | Middletown | $64,943 |
| 20 | Springfield | $64,847 |
| 21 | Grove City | $64,755 |
| 22 | Delaware | $64,704 |
| 23 | Gahanna | $64,694 |
| 24 | Westerville | $64,654 |
| 25 | Huber Heights | $64,501 |
| 26 | North Ridgeville | $64,451 |
| 27 | Kettering | $64,410 |
| 28 | North Royalton | $64,359 |
| 29 | North Olmsted | $64,129 |
| 30 | Reynoldsburg | $64,018 |
| 31 | Strongsville | $63,805 |
| 32 | Canton | $63,716 |
| 33 | Brunswick | $63,407 |
| 34 | Wooster | $63,407 |
| 35 | Elyria | $63,309 |
| 36 | Shaker Heights | $63,180 |
| 37 | Medina | $63,138 |
| 38 | Dublin | $62,935 |
| 39 | Fairfield | $62,930 |
| 40 | Mentor | $62,864 |
| 41 | Massillon | $62,852 |
| 42 | Warren | $62,737 |
| 43 | Mason | $62,589 |
| 44 | Youngstown | $62,585 |
| 45 | Avon | $62,511 |
| 46 | Marion | $62,416 |
| 47 | Stow | $62,412 |
| 48 | Newark | $62,376 |
| 49 | Findlay | $62,309 |
| 50 | Green | $62,213 |
| 51 | Barberton | $62,213 |
| 52 | Austintown | $62,188 |
| 53 | Cleveland Heights | $62,177 |
| 54 | Upper Arlington | $62,096 |
| 55 | Xenia | $62,096 |
| 56 | Mansfield | $62,078 |
| 57 | Hilliard | $62,019 |
| 58 | Oxford | $61,826 |
| 59 | Chillicothe | $61,693 |
| 60 | Perrysburg | $61,467 |
| 61 | Trotwood | $61,447 |
| 62 | Athens | $60,797 |
| 63 | Tiffin | $60,456 |
| 64 | Wadsworth | $60,406 |
| 65 | Avon Lake | $60,363 |
| 66 | Centerville | $60,230 |
| 67 | Solon | $60,219 |
More Ohio Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Ohio cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Compare Cities in Ohio
View all comparisons →Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Ohio in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Ohio?
How does Ohio licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Ohio?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Ohio?
Which Ohio city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Ohio. State averages are employment-weighted across 67 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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