Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Cincinnati, OH: $67,838 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Cincinnati, OH earns a median $67,838/year (≈ $32.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Cincinnati's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.4), that paycheck buys what $71,131 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average licensed practical nurse salary in Cincinnati, OH is projected to be $67,838, positioning it slightly below the national average of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in the area shows a broad spectrum, from $54,509 at the 10th percentile to $79,603 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, reflects the impact of Ohio’s scope-of-practice rules, which permit LPNs to engage in IV therapy and perform patient assessments. Such responsibilities can enhance earning potential, especially in settings that require higher levels of patient care. With about 6,400 licensed practical nurses employed in Cincinnati, the job market remains robust, offering various opportunities for those seeking to enter or advance within the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,509 | $26.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,405 | $30.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,838 | $32.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,413 | $35.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,603 | $38.27 |
Median Salary Position
0.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cincinnati
In Cincinnati, OH, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,094 (2026 est.). At $67,838, the local median is 0.34% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cincinnati: You'd be above the median
How Cincinnati Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Cincinnati median: $67,838/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cincinnati Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $65,544 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -0.34% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Cincinnati, OH earn a median of $67,838 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.34% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 3.50% above the Ohio state average of $65,544.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cincinnati has a cost of living 4.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cincinnati, OH has a cost-of-living index of 95.37 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $67,838 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,131 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.85% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$48,020
2025 BLS Actual
$64,180
2026 Current Est.
$67,838
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Cincinnati (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,838 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,705 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cincinnati metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 33.7% from $48,020 (2019) to $64,180 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,705 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,685 (49.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cincinnati 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) | $54,509 – $62,405 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,405 – $67,838 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,838 – $74,413 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,413 – $79,603 |
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 Cincinnati
Shifts in employment settings significantly influence licensed practical nurse pay in Cincinnati, OH. Long-term care facilities generally offer higher wages compared to home health agencies and physician offices, often driven by the complexity of care required. The cost of living index in the Cincinnati area is 95.37, indicating that the take-home purchasing power for LPNs remains favorable despite competitive salaries. Many employers in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals provide the best compensation packages, often including additional stipends for IV therapy certification and shift differentials. The disparity in salaries can also stem from varying operational demands across specializations. To maximize pay, LPNs should consider seeking positions in long-term care or specialized roles while also pursuing continuous education through LPN-to-RN bridge programs, enabling them to qualify for higher-paying nursing roles in the future.
More salary data for Cincinnati, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Cincinnati, OH in 2026?
Is Cincinnati, OH a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Cincinnati?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Cincinnati?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Cincinnati?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Ohio
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 $64,180 for licensed practical nursesin the Cincinnati 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