Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Bowling Green, OH: $65,106 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Bowling Green, OH earns a median $65,106/year (≈ $31.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Bowling Green's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $71,782 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the compensation for licensed practical nurses in Bowling Green, OH, is projected to reach a median annual salary of $65,106, reflecting a slight decline of 4.36% compared to the national median of $68,071. Local estimates indicate a salary range extending from $52,016 at the lower 10th percentile to as high as $80,273 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, illustrate the competitive dynamics inherent in the local healthcare market. Factors such as shift differentials and weekend premiums are particularly significant, often enhancing earnings in long-term care settings, which employ a substantial portion of LPNs in the area.
About the Bowling Green Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,016 | $25.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,197 | $28.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,106 | $31.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,040 | $36.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,273 | $38.59 |
Median Salary Position
4.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bowling Green
In Bowling Green, OH, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,257 (2026 est.). At $65,106, the local median is 4.36% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bowling Green: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bowling Green Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Bowling Green median: $65,106/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bowling Green Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $65,499 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -4.36% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Bowling Green, OH earn a median of $65,106 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.36% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.60% below the Ohio state average of $65,499.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bowling Green has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bowling Green, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,106 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,782 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,412
2025 BLS Actual
$61,595
2026 Current Est.
$65,106
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Bowling Green (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,412 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,694 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,976 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,241 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,128 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,468 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,595 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,106 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,817 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bowling Green metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $45,412 (2019) to $61,595 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,817 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,405 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bowling Green 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) | $52,016 – $60,197 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,197 – $65,106 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,106 – $75,040 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,040 – $80,273 |
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 Bowling Green
Currently, there are only seven licensed practical nurses working in Bowling Green, showcasing the relatively small market for this profession. The area's cost of living index stands at 90.7, which is below the national average and suggests a favorable purchasing power for LPN salaries in this context. The highest-paying employers in Bowling Green typically include skilled nursing facilities and long-term care organizations, which can provide better compensation than home health agencies or physician offices. The disparity in pay across different settings often stems from the added responsibilities and skills required in skilled nursing and long-term care environments, where weekend and holiday premiums are common. To maximize earnings in this local market, LPNs should consider obtaining specialized certifications, such as IV therapy, and pursue opportunities in high-demand settings like long-term care, which can offer significant financial incentives.
More salary data for Bowling Green, OH:
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 $61,595 for licensed practical nursesin the Bowling Green 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
Salary data for Bowling Green is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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