Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Eau Claire, WI: $64,424 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Eau Claire, WI earns a median $64,424/year (≈ $30.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Eau Claire's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $69,425 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The licensed practical nurse salary in Eau Claire, WI, stands at a median annual figure of $64,424 as of the 2026 estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data. With a salary range extending from $53,960 at the 10th percentile to $78,884 at the 90th percentile, LPNs in this region may find varying pay scales depending on their work settings. The differences in compensation primarily stem from the type of facility employed, where skilled nursing and long-term care generally offer higher wages compared to home health or physician offices. This variation reflects the demand for practical nursing in different care environments, particularly as nursing facilities in Eau Claire seek skilled staff to meet the needs of their populations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,528 | $29.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,424 | $30.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,730 | $35.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,884 | $37.93 |
Median Salary Position
5.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Eau Claire
In Eau Claire, WI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,924 (2026 est.). At $64,424, the local median is 5.36% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Eau Claire: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Eau Claire Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Eau Claire median: $64,424/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Eau Claire Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $67,672 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -5.36% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Eau Claire, WI earn a median of $64,424 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.36% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $67,672.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Eau Claire has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Eau Claire, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.796 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $64,424 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,425 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$44,530
2025 BLS Actual
$60,950
2026 Current Est.
$64,424
2019–2027 Growth
+52.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Eau Claire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,424 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,096 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Eau Claire metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 36.9% from $44,530 (2019) to $60,950 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,096 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,566 (52.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eau Claire 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) | $53,960 – $61,528 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,528 – $64,424 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,424 – $74,730 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,730 – $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 Eau Claire
In Eau Claire, the local job market is robust, with approximately 250 licensed practical nurses currently employed. The cost of living index in the region sits at 92.796, indicating a slightly more affordable environment compared to the national average. This lower cost of living positively impacts take-home purchasing power for LPNs. When considering pay, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the most competitive salaries. Factors contributing to the wide pay range include the work environment, with higher pay available for those trained in IV therapy, weekend shifts, and charge nurse roles in long-term care settings. To maximize earning potential in Eau Claire, LPNs should explore opportunities in higher-paying facilities, consider shift differentials, and pursue certifications that enhance their qualifications, positioning themselves for advancement within the field.
More salary data for Eau Claire, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Eau Claire, WI in 2026?
Is Eau Claire, WI a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Eau Claire?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Eau Claire?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Eau Claire?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 $60,950 for licensed practical nursesin the Eau Claire 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