Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Bristol, RI: $64,761 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Bristol, RI earns a median $64,761/year (≈ $31.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $64,439 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Licensed practical nurse salary in Bristol, RI, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $64,761 in 2026. This local estimate, based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, puts the effective compensation range for LPNs here between $51,488 at the bottom tenth percentile and $81,206 at the top. As facilities strive to meet the growing demand for skilled nursing, various incentives like shift differentials and weekend premiums become pivotal in driving effective long-term care compensation. With these dynamics in place, Bristol's job market hints at a promising landscape for licensed practical nurses looking to establish themselves within the community.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($67,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,488 | $24.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,441 | $28.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,761 | $31.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,273 | $34.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,206 | $39.05 |
Median Salary Position
4.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, RI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,718 (2026 est.). At $64,761, the local median is 4.86% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Bristol median: $64,761/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $68,386 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -4.86% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Bristol, RI earn a median of $64,761 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.86% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 5.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $68,386.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,761 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,439 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,172
2025 BLS Actual
$61,269
2026 Current Est.
$64,761
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,172 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,446 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,733 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,964 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,826 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,743 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,269 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,761 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,453 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $45,172 (2019) to $61,269 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,453 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,281 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $51,488 – $59,441 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,441 – $64,761 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,761 – $72,273 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,273 – $81,206 |
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 Bristol
In Bristol, competition remains robust with only five licensed practical nurses currently employed locally. The cost of living index stands at 100.5, slightly above the national average, which influences purchasing power after considering salary figures. Skilled nursing facilities tend to pay the most, reflecting the higher demands of long-term care settings compared to home health agencies and physician offices. Furthermore, the pay disparity often comes down to specific factors such as shift differentials, certifications for IV therapy, and additional premiums for working weekends or holidays. For LPNs aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing specialized credentials and seeking employment in high-demand settings like skilled nursing or hospice care can be strategic moves, enhancing both their pay and career advancement opportunities in the Bristol market.
More salary data for Bristol, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Bristol?
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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 $61,269 for licensed practical nursesin the Bristol 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
Salary data for Bristol is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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