Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Puerto Rico: $32,955 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Puerto Rico's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $32,955/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Puerto Rico sits at BEA RPP 75.0 (25% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $43,940 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: San Juan ($32,770), Mayaguez ($30,970), Guayama ($26,280).
In 2026, the average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Puerto Rico is projected to be $32,955, which is significantly lower than the national median of $68,071, representing a disparity of 51.6%. The highest salaries can be found in San Juan, where LPNs are expected to make $34,638, while Aguadilla offers the lowest at $24,787. This salary gap of $9,851 between the highest and lowest paying cities is largely influenced by the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local economic conditions. In Puerto Rico, LPNs must meet specific state licensing requirements and are governed by a defined scope of practice. The growing demand for healthcare professionals, along with an expected annual growth rate of 5.70% in employment opportunities, indicates a solid job market for LPNs in the coming years. Other cities such as Mayaguez, Guayama, Ponce, and Arecibo project salaries ranging from $26,309 to $32,735, reflecting varying local economies and healthcare infrastructure. Overall, while salaries in Puerto Rico are lower than national averages, job growth and demand for LPNs suggest favorable conditions for entry into the profession.
Puerto Rico Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Puerto Rico: $23,085 (lowest entry-level) to $81,326 (highest top earner)
Puerto Rico vs National Average
Puerto Rico licensed practical nurses earn 51.59% less than the national median ($-35,116/year difference).
Puerto Rico Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Puerto Rico range from $24,857 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $62,061 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $32,955. The Puerto Rico median is $35,116 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $15.84/hr. Approximately 2,960 licensed practical nurses are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$21,325
2025 BLS Actual
$31,178
2026 Current Est.
$32,955
2019–2027 Growth
+63.3%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Puerto Rico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21,325 | Actual |
| 2020 | $21,558 | Actual |
| 2021 | $21,942 | Actual |
| 2022 | $23,039 | Actual |
| 2023 | $23,538 | Actual |
| 2024 | $25,809 | Actual |
| 2025 | $31,178 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32,955 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34,834 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puerto Rico metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 46.2% from $21,325 (2019) to $31,178 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $34,834 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,509 (63.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puerto Rico 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 Puerto Rico
Lowest Paying Cities in Puerto Rico
Salary by Experience Level in Puerto Rico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $24,857 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $32,955 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $62,061 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Puerto Rico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Puerto Rico
More Puerto Rico Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Puerto Rico cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Puerto Rico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Puerto Rico?
How does Puerto Rico licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Puerto Rico?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Puerto Rico?
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 Puerto Rico. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 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