Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Allentown, PA: $67,701 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Allentown, PA earns a median $67,701/year (≈ $32.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Allentown's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.0), that paycheck buys what $67,723 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for a licensed practical nurse in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is projected to be $67,701, slightly below the national median of $68,071. The salary range varies widely, from $59,266 at the 10th percentile to $79,656 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the various settings where LPNs are employed. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which highlight the implications of structural choices in skilled nursing versus home health or clinic roles on pay levels. Given the competitive nature of healthcare in Allentown, understanding these dynamics can aid prospective nurses in navigating their career paths effectively.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,266 | $28.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,344 | $31.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,701 | $32.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,850 | $36.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,656 | $38.30 |
Median Salary Position
0.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Allentown
In Allentown, PA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,390 (2026 est.). At $67,701, the local median is 0.54% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Allentown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Allentown Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Allentown median: $67,701/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Allentown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $66,766 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -0.54% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Allentown, PA earn a median of $67,701 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.54% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.40% above the Pennsylvania state average of $66,766.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Allentown has a cost of living 0.03% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Allentown, PA has a cost-of-living index of 99.968 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $67,701 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,723 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.03% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$50,370
2025 BLS Actual
$64,050
2026 Current Est.
$67,701
2019–2027 Growth
+42.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Allentown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,701 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,560 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Allentown metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 27.2% from $50,370 (2019) to $64,050 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,560 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,190 (42.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Allentown 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) | $59,266 – $65,344 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,344 – $67,701 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,701 – $75,850 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,850 – $79,656 |
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 Allentown
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Allentown remains robust, with approximately 2,230 LPNs employed in the area. Despite a cost-of-living index slightly below the national average at 99.968, the purchasing power for LPNs can still be favorable, depending on their employer and work setting. Facilities such as skilled nursing and long-term care usually offer higher wages compared to home health and physician's offices. Variations in pay arise from factors such as shift differentials, specialty certifications like IV therapy, and additional compensation for weekends or holidays. To maximize earnings in Allentown, nurses looking to enhance their licensed practical nurse pay should consider seeking positions in environments like long-term care facilities, where compensation tends to be more competitive, while also remaining open to professional development opportunities that could lead to roles with better pay structures.
More salary data for Allentown, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Allentown, PA in 2026?
Is Allentown, PA a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Allentown?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Allentown?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Allentown?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 $64,050 for licensed practical nursesin the Allentown 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