Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Oklahoma: $62,974 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Oklahoma's 27 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $62,974/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Oklahoma sits at BEA RPP 88.9 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $70,837 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Oklahoma City ($59,860), Tulsa ($59,820), Enid ($59,300).
In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Oklahoma can expect an average median salary of $62,974, which is approximately 7.5% lower than the national median of $68,071. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Oklahoma City offering the highest pay at $63,272, while Sand Springs reflects the lowest at $55,621. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living differences, local demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas compared to more rural settings. Oklahoma has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can impact LPNs' roles and responsibilities. These guidelines often influence salary levels and job outlook. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.70% for LPN positions, demand is expected to remain strong, driven by an aging population and increasing healthcare needs. As for the top-paying cities, along with Oklahoma City, Tulsa follows closely at $63,230, Enid at $62,680, Broken Arrow at $61,871, and Norman at $61,333. Overall, the job market for LPNs in Oklahoma reflects stability and steady growth, providing opportunities for those entering the field.
Oklahoma Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Oklahoma: $41,434 (lowest entry-level) to $80,995 (highest top earner)
Oklahoma vs National Average
Oklahoma licensed practical nurses earn 7.49% less than the national median ($-5,097/year difference).
Oklahoma Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Oklahoma range from $45,748 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $73,403 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $62,974. The Oklahoma median is $5,097 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $30.28/hr. Approximately 6,858 licensed practical nurses are employed across 27 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,040
2025 BLS Actual
$59,578
2026 Current Est.
$62,974
2019–2027 Growth
+54.7%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Oklahoma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,337 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,817 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,684 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,547 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,368 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,578 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,974 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,564 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oklahoma metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 38.4% from $43,040 (2019) to $59,578 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,564 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,524 (54.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oklahoma 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Oklahoma
Lowest Paying Cities in Oklahoma
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sand Springs | $55,621 |
| Ponca City | $56,222 |
| Durant | $56,654 |
| Del City | $56,900 |
| Sapulpa | $57,074 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Oklahoma
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Oklahoma cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enid | $62,680 | 84.269 | $74,381 |
| Tulsa | $63,230 | 89.214 | $70,875 |
| Lawton | $60,524 | 85.941 | $70,425 |
| Oklahoma City | $63,272 | 90.408 | $69,985 |
| Broken Arrow | $61,871 | 88.9 | $69,596 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Oklahoma
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $45,748 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $62,974 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $73,403 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Oklahoma metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 27 Cities in Oklahoma
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma City | $63,272 |
| 2 | Tulsa | $63,230 |
| 3 | Enid | $62,680 |
| 4 | Broken Arrow | $61,871 |
| 5 | Norman | $61,333 |
| 6 | Lawton | $60,524 |
| 7 | Moore | $60,512 |
| 8 | Midwest City | $59,972 |
| 9 | Yukon | $59,768 |
| 10 | Bartlesville | $59,370 |
| 11 | Owasso | $58,993 |
| 12 | Muskogee | $58,932 |
| 13 | Stillwater | $58,868 |
| 14 | Shawnee | $58,810 |
| 15 | Edmond | $58,412 |
| 16 | Tahlequah | $58,093 |
| 17 | Bixby | $58,003 |
| 18 | Jenks | $57,783 |
| 19 | Claremore | $57,660 |
| 20 | Altus | $57,374 |
| 21 | Ardmore | $57,270 |
| 22 | Bethany | $57,269 |
| 23 | Sapulpa | $57,074 |
| 24 | Del City | $56,900 |
| 25 | Durant | $56,654 |
| 26 | Ponca City | $56,222 |
| 27 | Sand Springs | $55,621 |
More Oklahoma Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Oklahoma cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Compare Cities in Oklahoma
View all comparisons →Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Oklahoma in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Oklahoma?
How does Oklahoma licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Oklahoma?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Oklahoma?
Which Oklahoma city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Oklahoma. State averages are employment-weighted across 27 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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