Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Erie, PA: $63,959 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Erie, PA earns a median $63,959/year (≈ $30.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Erie's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $70,323 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Erie, Pennsylvania, is projected to reach a median of $63,959, which is about 6.04% lower than the national median of $68,071. With a salary range spanning from $51,582 at the 10th percentile to $76,389 at the 90th percentile, there are ample opportunities for LPNs to advance their earnings, especially in environments offering shift differentials and weekend premiums that drive compensation in long-term care settings. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a valuable insight into the local job market, which actively employs nearly 940 licensed practical nurses.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,582 | $24.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,025 | $27.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,959 | $30.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,969 | $33.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,389 | $36.73 |
Median Salary Position
6.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, PA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,807 (2026 est.). At $63,959, the local median is 6.04% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be above the median
How Erie Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Erie median: $63,959/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $66,763 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -6.04% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Erie, PA earn a median of $63,959 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.04% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.20% below the Pennsylvania state average of $66,763.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, PA has a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $63,959 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,323 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% 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
$40,090
2025 BLS Actual
$60,510
2026 Current Est.
$63,959
2019–2027 Growth
+68.6%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,959 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,605 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 50.9% from $40,090 (2019) to $60,510 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,605 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,515 (68.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie 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) | $51,582 – $57,025 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,025 – $63,959 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,959 – $68,969 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,969 – $76,389 |
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 Erie
Analyzing the local job market in Erie reveals significant factors that influence actual take-home pay. With a cost of living index of 90.95, LPNs in the area can enjoy better purchasing power compared to more expensive markets. Skilled nursing facilities and hospitals often pay the highest salaries, especially when considering the additional compensation that can come from certifications such as IV therapy. The pay spectrum can be notably influenced by the employment setting, with skilled nursing facilities typically offering more than home health agencies or physician offices. Strategies for maximizing pay include seeking positions in higher-paying facilities, working weekends or holidays for added premiums, and obtaining certifications that align with the demands of long-term care practices. Understanding the local compensation structures can greatly enhance an LPN's earnings potential in Erie, PA.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Erie, PA in 2026?
Is Erie, PA a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Erie?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Erie?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Erie?
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 $60,510 for licensed practical nursesin the Erie 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