Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Pennsylvania: $70,045 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 25 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $70,045/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,915 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Philadelphia ($70,710), Bethlehem ($65,610), Lebanon ($65,430).
In Pennsylvania, the projected average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in 2026 is $70,045, surpassing the national median of $68,071 by 2.9%. The highest salaries are found in Philadelphia, where LPNs can expect to earn $74,740, while those in Johnstown earn the lowest at $60,587, creating a salary gap of $14,153. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living differences, availability of healthcare facilities, and local demand for nursing staff. Obtaining a license in Pennsylvania involves completing an approved practical nursing program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam, with LPNs generally having a defined scope of practice focused on patient care under the supervision of registered nurses. The demand for LPNs is driven by an aging population and an increasing emphasis on health services, which contribute to a projected growth rate of 5.70% in the sector. With a total of 36,260 licensed practical nurses employed across 25 metropolitan areas, the job market for LPNs in Pennsylvania remains strong. Other cities such as Bethlehem, Lebanon, Reading, and Gettysburg show promising salaries at $69,350, $69,160, $68,652, and $67,976 respectively, indicating a healthy outlook for the profession statewide.
Pennsylvania Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $47,132 (lowest entry-level) to $88,150 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania licensed practical nurses earn 2.90% more than the national median (+$1,974/year difference).
Pennsylvania Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Pennsylvania range from $59,273 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $81,136 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $70,045. The Pennsylvania median is $1,974 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $33.68/hr. Approximately 36,260 licensed practical nurses are employed across 25 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,915
2025 BLS Actual
$66,268
2026 Current Est.
$70,045
2019–2027 Growth
+45.4%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,915 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,988 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,457 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,604 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,151 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,556 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,268 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,045 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,038 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 30.2% from $50,915 (2019) to $66,268 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,038 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,123 (45.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Johnstown | $60,587 |
| West Chester | $62,516 |
| Pottstown | $62,978 |
| Altoona | $63,082 |
| New Castle | $63,887 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lebanon | $69,160 | 93.214 | $74,195 |
| Philadelphia | $74,740 | 102.554 | $72,879 |
| Chambersburg | $67,606 | 94.642 | $71,433 |
| Gettysburg | $67,976 | 95.379 | $71,269 |
| Bethlehem | $69,350 | 97.4 | $71,201 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $59,273 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $70,045 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $81,136 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 25 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $74,740 |
| 2 | Bethlehem | $69,350 |
| 3 | Lebanon | $69,160 |
| 4 | Reading | $68,652 |
| 5 | Gettysburg | $67,976 |
| 6 | Allentown | $67,701 |
| 7 | Chambersburg | $67,606 |
| 8 | York | $67,077 |
| 9 | Lancaster | $66,898 |
| 10 | Pittsburgh | $66,654 |
| 11 | Easton | $66,539 |
| 12 | Harrisburg | $66,253 |
| 13 | Wilkes-Barre | $65,714 |
| 14 | State College | $65,492 |
| 15 | Scranton | $65,259 |
| 16 | Hazleton | $64,801 |
| 17 | Williamsport | $64,688 |
| 18 | Norristown | $64,677 |
| 19 | Chester | $64,527 |
| 20 | Erie | $63,959 |
| 21 | New Castle | $63,887 |
| 22 | Altoona | $63,082 |
| 23 | Pottstown | $62,978 |
| 24 | West Chester | $62,516 |
| 25 | Johnstown | $60,587 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Pennsylvania?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 25 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