Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Philadelphia, PA: $74,740 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Philadelphia, PA earns a median $74,740/year (≈ $35.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Philadelphia's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $72,879 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.9% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Philadelphia can expect a median annual salary of $74,740, reflecting a competitive position compared to the national average of $68,071. The salary range for these professionals spans from $64,075 at the 10th percentile to $84,232 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. The compensation landscape varies significantly depending on the work setting, with skilled nursing facilities generally offering higher wages than home health agencies and physician offices. This variance is crucial for prospective LPNs considering their career options in the city, as the structure of employment in Philadelphia can influence overall job satisfaction and financial stability.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,075 | $30.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,007 | $32.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,740 | $35.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,649 | $38.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,232 | $40.49 |
Median Salary Position
9.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, PA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,157 (2026 est.). At $74,740, the local median is 9.8% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Philadelphia: You'd be above the median
How Philadelphia Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Philadelphia median: $74,740/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Philadelphia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $66,792 | +11.90% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +9.80% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $74,740 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.80% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 11.90% above the Pennsylvania state average of $66,792.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Philadelphia has a cost of living 2.55% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Philadelphia, PA has a cost-of-living index of 102.554 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,740 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,879 — a 2.49% reduction.
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
$57,030
2025 BLS Actual
$70,710
2026 Current Est.
$74,740
2019–2027 Growth
+38.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,740 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,001 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 24.0% from $57,030 (2019) to $70,710 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,001 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,971 (38.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Philadelphia 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) | $64,075 – $68,007 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,007 – $74,740 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,740 – $80,649 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,649 – $84,232 |
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 Philadelphia
With approximately 15,920 licensed practical nurses currently employed in the Philadelphia area, the market remains robust. However, the local cost of living index stands at 102.554, indicating a slightly elevated living cost compared to the national average. Therefore, the purchasing power of LPNs is an important factor to consider. Among various employment settings, skilled nursing facilities typically provide the top salaries, supplemented by incentives such as shift differentials and weekend premiums, which can further boost earnings. To maximize pay in Philadelphia, LPNs should explore options to enhance their qualifications, such as IV therapy certification or pursuing LPN-to-RN bridge programs, which can open doors to higher earning potential in the healthcare field.
More salary data for Philadelphia, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Philadelphia, PA in 2026?
Is Philadelphia, PA a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Philadelphia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Philadelphia?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Philadelphia?
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 $70,710 for licensed practical nursesin the Philadelphia 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