Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Ponce, PR: $26,319 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Ponce, PR earns a median $26,319/year (≈ $12.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Puerto Rico's price level (25% below national, BEA RPP 75.0), that paycheck buys what $35,092 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Puerto Rico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Ponce, Puerto Rico, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $26,319 in 2026, which reflects a significant divergence from the national median of $68,071. The salary for LPNs in the region varies, ranging from $23,085 at the 10th percentile to $39,394 for those in the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The scope of practice for LPNs in Puerto Rico includes authority for IV therapy and patient assessments, which may influence compensation levels as employers look for skilled professionals who can assume these responsibilities. Understanding these salary figures can help prospective LPNs better navigate the job market in Ponce, especially in identifying potential employers that value such skills.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,085 | $11.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23,085 | $11.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $26,319 | $12.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27,567 | $13.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39,394 | $18.94 |
Median Salary Position
61.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ponce
In Ponce, PR, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,309 (2026 est.). At $26,319, the local median is 61.34% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ponce: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Ponce Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Ponce median: $26,319/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ponce Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico Average | $27,050 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -61.34% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Ponce, PR earn a median of $26,319 per year (2026 est.), which is 61.34% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.70% below the Puerto Rico state average of $27,050.
2019 BLS Actual
$19,030
2025 BLS Actual
$24,900
2026 Current Est.
$26,319
2019–2027 Growth
+46.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Ponce (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $19,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $16,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $19,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $20,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $24,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $24,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26,319 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27,820 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ponce metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 30.8% from $19,030 (2019) to $24,900 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $27,820 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,790 (46.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ponce 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) | $23,085 – $23,085 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $23,085 – $26,319 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $26,319 – $27,567 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $27,567 – $39,394 |
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 Ponce
In Ponce, a total of 260 licensed practical nurses are currently employed, which indicates a stable job market for this occupation. Local living costs play a crucial role in determining real earnings potential, often moderating the impact of gross salary figures. Among the key employers in Ponce, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest pay for LPNs, followed by hospitals, home health agencies, and physician offices. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to setting differences, such as skilled nursing facilities providing more comprehensive care and therefore requiring a greater skill set, which includes shifts that pay a premium for weekends and holidays. For LPNs seeking to maximize their pay in this market, obtaining IV therapy certification can enhance job prospects and open up opportunities for higher-paying positions. Additionally, those who are flexible with their work hours may find better compensation offerings, especially in long-term care settings.
More salary data for Ponce, PR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Ponce, PR in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Ponce?
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Related Pages
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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 $24,900 for licensed practical nursesin the Ponce 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