Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Sandusky, OH: $66,084 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Sandusky, OH earns a median $66,084/year (≈ $31.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Sandusky's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $74,018 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Licensed practical nurses in Sandusky, Ohio, can anticipate a median annual salary of $66,084 in 2026, reflecting the realities of compensation driven by shift differentials and weekend premiums prevalent in long-term care. The salary spectrum stretches from $51,941 at the lower end (P10) to $76,157 (P90) for those positioned at the top of the field. This data originates from official BLS OEWS surveys, which highlight that Sandusky's compensation is slightly below the national average of $68,071, indicating a market that remains competitive yet closely tied to local economic factors. As the demand for quality healthcare continues to grow, the job market for licensed practical nurses is expected to see upward trends, making Sandusky an intriguing look into regional salary dynamics.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,941 | $24.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,721 | $28.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,084 | $31.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,420 | $32.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,157 | $36.61 |
Median Salary Position
2.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sandusky
In Sandusky, OH, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,216 (2026 est.). At $66,084, the local median is 2.92% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Sandusky: You'd be above the median
How Sandusky Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Sandusky median: $66,084/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sandusky Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $65,494 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -2.92% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Sandusky, OH earn a median of $66,084 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.92% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.90% above the Ohio state average of $65,494.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sandusky has a cost of living 10.72% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sandusky, OH has a cost-of-living index of 89.281 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $66,084 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,018 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,094
2025 BLS Actual
$62,520
2026 Current Est.
$66,084
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Sandusky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,094 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,395 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,667 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,026 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,986 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,084 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,850 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sandusky metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $46,094 (2019) to $62,520 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,850 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,756 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sandusky 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) | $51,941 – $59,721 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,721 – $66,084 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,084 – $68,420 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,420 – $76,157 |
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 Sandusky
In Sandusky, there are approximately 390 licensed practical nurses contributing to the local healthcare landscape, an indicator of a relatively stable job market. The cost of living index at 89.281 signifies a lower-than-average cost structure, enhancing the effective purchasing power of nurses in the area. Employers in skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest pay, which makes sense given the more complex care environment and shift requirements associated with long-term care. Additionally, various factors can drive the salary variations, such as shift differentials, weekend and holiday pay, and specific skill endorsements like IV therapy certification. To achieve the best compensation in Sandusky, pursuing certification opportunities and seeking roles in high-demand settings like skilled nursing or hospice can offer advantageous pathways for career advancement and salary growth in this evolving market.
More salary data for Sandusky, 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 $62,520 for licensed practical nursesin the Sandusky 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, 2-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