Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Dayton, OH: $65,291 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Dayton, OH earns a median $65,291/year (≈ $31.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Dayton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $70,437 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dayton, Ohio, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are projected to earn a median annual salary of $65,291 in 2026, reflecting the distinct scope-of-practice regulations within the state that allow for activities such as IV therapy and patient assessment. The salary range for LPNs in the area spans from $52,734 at the lower tenth percentile to $77,711 at the upper ninetieth percentile. These figures derive from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, offering valuable insight into the compensation conditions specific to the region. Given the competitive nature of healthcare employment in Dayton, understanding these financial benchmarks is vital for both new and veteran LPNs navigating their career pathways.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,734 | $25.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,122 | $28.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,291 | $31.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,398 | $32.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,711 | $37.35 |
Median Salary Position
4.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dayton
In Dayton, OH, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,977 (2026 est.). At $65,291, the local median is 4.08% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dayton: You'd be above the median
How Dayton Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Dayton median: $65,291/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dayton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $65,553 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -4.08% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Dayton, OH earn a median of $65,291 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.08% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.40% below the Ohio state average of $65,553.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dayton has a cost of living 7.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dayton, OH has a cost-of-living index of 92.694 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,291 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,437 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,730
2025 BLS Actual
$61,770
2026 Current Est.
$65,291
2019–2027 Growth
+54.3%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,291 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,012 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dayton metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 38.1% from $44,730 (2019) to $61,770 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,012 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,282 (54.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dayton 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) | $52,734 – $60,122 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,122 – $65,291 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,291 – $68,398 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,398 – $77,711 |
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 Dayton
The Dayton job market for licensed practical nurses is robust, with approximately 3,140 professionals currently employed in this field. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 92.694, which is below the national average, the purchasing power of LPNs in the area may be relatively enhanced. Skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher pay compared to home health agencies and physician offices, primarily due to the complexity of care required in long-term settings. Shift differentials, weekend and holiday pay, as well as IV therapy certification stipends can significantly affect overall compensation. To maximize earnings in the Dayton market, pursuing specialization—such as IV therapy—while considering employment in high-demand settings like long-term care or correctional facilities can lead to a more prosperous career in practical nursing.
More salary data for Dayton, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Dayton?
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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 $61,770 for licensed practical nursesin the Dayton 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