Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Columbus, OH: $65,439 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Columbus, OH earns a median $65,439/year (≈ $31.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $68,545 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbus, Ohio, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can expect a median annual salary of $65,439 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in this region is projected to be between $54,414 at the tenth percentile and $80,543 at the ninetieth percentile, reflecting a diverse job market influenced by various employment settings. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and they indicate that while opportunities exist, the compensation may be subject to the state's specific LPN scope-of-practice rules, which include privileges such as IV therapy and patient assessment. This creates a unique job market in Columbus where qualifications and competencies can significantly impact earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,414 | $26.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,101 | $28.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,439 | $31.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,500 | $34.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,543 | $38.73 |
Median Salary Position
3.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, OH, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,129 (2026 est.). At $65,439, the local median is 3.87% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbus Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Columbus median: $65,439/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $65,504 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -3.87% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Columbus, OH earn a median of $65,439 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.87% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.10% below the Ohio state average of $65,504.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 4.53% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, OH has a cost-of-living index of 95.469 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,439 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,545 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.75% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,340
2025 BLS Actual
$61,910
2026 Current Est.
$65,439
2019–2027 Growth
+56.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,439 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,169 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 39.6% from $44,340 (2019) to $61,910 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,169 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,829 (56.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $54,414 – $60,101 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,101 – $65,439 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,439 – $72,500 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,500 – $80,543 |
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 Columbus
The employment landscape for licensed practical nurses in Columbus is robust, with approximately 7,270 professionals currently working in the field. The cost of living index for the area stands at 95.469, suggesting that while salaries may not be as competitive compared to the national figures, the lower cost of living can enhance take-home purchasing power for LPNs. Skilled nursing facilities and long-term care settings typically offer the most competitive compensation packages, often including shift differentials and additional stipends for specialized certifications, such as IV therapy. For those looking to increase their earnings, pursuing roles in high-demand providers like hospitals or correctional facilities, which may offer higher pay, could be beneficial. Additionally, seeking opportunities that include benefits like holiday premiums can also be a way to maximize one’s salary in the competitive environment of licensed practical nurse pay in Columbus, OH.
More salary data for Columbus, 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 $61,910 for licensed practical nursesin the Columbus 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