Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Cranston, RI: $66,917 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Cranston, RI earns a median $66,917/year (≈ $32.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Cranston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $66,584 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cranston, Rhode Island, the projected median annual salary for licensed practical nurses is $66,917, slightly below the national median of $68,071. The salary range for these professionals spans from $53,324 at the 10th percentile to $89,158 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse pay scale influenced by various factors, including job setting and experience. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data, taking into account regional price adjustments, suggest that employers who offer shift differentials and weekend premiums often yield higher compensation opportunities, particularly in long-term care environments. The strength of the job market for licensed practical nurses in Cranston points toward a stable demand, especially as the healthcare sector continues to evolve.
About the Cranston Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($67,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,324 | $25.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,034 | $29.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,917 | $32.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,977 | $38.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,158 | $42.86 |
Median Salary Position
1.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cranston
In Cranston, RI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,834 (2026 est.). At $66,917, the local median is 1.7% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cranston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cranston Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Cranston median: $66,917/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cranston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $68,422 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -1.70% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Cranston, RI earn a median of $66,917 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.70% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.20% below the Rhode Island state average of $68,422.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cranston has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cranston, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,917 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,584 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,675
2025 BLS Actual
$63,308
2026 Current Est.
$66,917
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Cranston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,675 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,992 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,255 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,694 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,717 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,864 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,308 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,917 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,731 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cranston metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $46,675 (2019) to $63,308 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,731 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,056 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cranston 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) | $53,324 – $62,034 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,034 – $66,917 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,917 – $80,977 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,977 – $89,158 |
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 Cranston
With 12 licensed practical nurses currently employed in Cranston, the job market remains concentrated yet stable. The cost-of-living index of 100.5 indicates that living expenses are just above the national average, which may slightly impact the overall purchasing power of LPN salaries. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities often offer the highest pay, driven by the need for specialized care in long-term settings, while home health agencies and physician offices typically present lower pay scales. Factors that contribute to the pay disparity include shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and premium pay for weekend and holiday shifts. For those in the field looking to maximize their compensation, pursuing additional certifications such as IV therapy or targeting high-demand sectors like long-term care can be advantageous strategies in the Cranston market.
More salary data for Cranston, RI:
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 $63,308 for licensed practical nursesin the Cranston 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 Cranston 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