Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Pittsburgh, PA: $66,654 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Pittsburgh, PA earns a median $66,654/year (≈ $32.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Pittsburgh's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $70,406 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania can expect a median annual salary of $66,654, which reflects the city's competitive market for healthcare professionals. With salaries ranging from $54,731 at the lower end to $78,884 for the most experienced, this compensation aligns closely with the state’s scope of practice rules. In Pennsylvania, LPNs are authorized to perform IV therapy and assessments, which can enhance their value in the job market. Derived from surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these salary projections indicate a stable employment environment for over 5,800 LPNs, which is indicative of Pittsburgh's growing healthcare sector that accommodates a variety of settings, including skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,731 | $26.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,012 | $30.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,654 | $32.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,241 | $36.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,884 | $37.93 |
Median Salary Position
2.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pittsburgh
In Pittsburgh, PA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,153 (2026 est.). At $66,654, the local median is 2.08% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pittsburgh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pittsburgh Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Pittsburgh median: $66,654/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pittsburgh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $66,788 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -2.08% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $66,654 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.08% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.20% below the Pennsylvania state average of $66,788.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pittsburgh has a cost of living 5.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pittsburgh, PA has a cost-of-living index of 94.671 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $66,654 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,406 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.63% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,540
2025 BLS Actual
$63,060
2026 Current Est.
$66,654
2019–2027 Growth
+54.7%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,654 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,454 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 38.5% from $45,540 (2019) to $63,060 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,454 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,914 (54.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pittsburgh 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) | $54,731 – $64,012 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,012 – $66,654 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,654 – $76,241 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,241 – $78,884 |
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 Pittsburgh
Examining the broader context of licensed practical nurse pay in Pittsburgh, PA reveals that the cost of living index stands at 94.671, suggesting that salaries here provide a reasonable purchasing power compared to many other urban areas. Skilled nursing facilities often offer the highest pay, followed by home health agencies and hospitals. Factors driving the pay differentiation include experience level, shift differentials, and additional qualifications such as IV therapy certification. To maximize earnings, LPNs in Pittsburgh may consider specializing in areas with greater demand, like long-term care, or seeking opportunities that offer premiums for weekend and holiday shifts. Pursuing an LPN-to-RN bridge pathway may also enhance future salary prospects, especially given the evolving landscape of nursing roles in the region.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $63,060 for licensed practical nursesin the Pittsburgh 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