Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Racine, WI: $68,546 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Racine, WI earns a median $68,546/year (≈ $32.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Racine's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $71,431 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the licensed practical nurse salary in Racine is projected to reach a median annual figure of $68,546, which is slightly above the national average of $68,071. This position within the healthcare system offers salary ranges from $60,566 at the 10th percentile to $82,404 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse array of pay depending on the work environment. Skilled nursing facilities tend to lead in compensation, often paying more than home health agencies or physician offices. These figures are derived from reliable data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projecting trends that signal a robust market for LPNs in Racine, particularly given the increasing demand for skilled nursing care in the state.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,566 | $29.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,107 | $30.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,546 | $32.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,279 | $38.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,404 | $39.62 |
Median Salary Position
0.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Racine
In Racine, WI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,838 (2026 est.). At $68,546, the local median is 0.7% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Racine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Racine Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Racine median: $68,546/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Racine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $67,667 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +0.70% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Racine, WI earn a median of $68,546 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.70% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 1.30% above the Wisconsin state average of $67,667.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Racine has a cost of living 4.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Racine, WI has a cost-of-living index of 95.961 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $68,546 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,431 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.21% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,160
2025 BLS Actual
$64,850
2026 Current Est.
$68,546
2019–2027 Growth
+57.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Racine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,850 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,546 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,454 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Racine metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 40.5% from $46,160 (2019) to $64,850 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,454 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,294 (56.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Racine 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) | $60,566 – $64,107 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,107 – $68,546 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,546 – $80,279 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,279 – $82,404 |
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 Racine
With about 180 licensed practical nurses currently employed in Racine, the job market demonstrates strong local demand despite a cost of living index of 95.961, which is notably lower than the national average. This favorable cost environment enhances take-home purchasing power for LPNs, making roles in long-term care settings particularly attractive as they often offer higher wages. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities generally provide the best compensation packages, especially when factoring in benefits like shift differentials and stipends for certifications, such as IV therapy. The disparities in pay between settings can largely be attributed to factors like weekend and holiday premiums, which can significantly elevate earnings for LPNs in long-term care. Maximizing pay in Racine may involve pursuing additional certifications, taking on shifts with higher demand, and seeking positions in facilities that offer enhanced benefits or charge LPN roles.
More salary data for Racine, WI:
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 $64,850 for licensed practical nursesin the Racine 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