Senior Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Springfield, MA: $93,079 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of licensed practical nurses working in Springfield, MA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $93,079/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2061. Strip back Springfield's price premium (BEA RPP 96.1, 4% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $96,896 in average-cost America. The 13% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Springfield, experienced licensed practical nurses can expect a competitive salary in 2026, with top earners making as much as $93,079 annually. This figure positions them well above the national benchmark for seasoned professionals. The gap between the median annual salary of $82,287 and the upper tier reflects the significant experience premium available in the area. To reach this level of compensation, LPNs must often pursue specialized training, certifications, or advanced roles that amplify their expertise beyond basic nursing duties. The diverse opportunities available in Springfield allow for growth into well-paying positions that leverage accumulated skills acquired over several years in the field.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springfield
Experienced licensed practical nurses at the top of the pay scale in Springfield earn between $85,046 and $93,079 per year (2026 est.). This $30,526 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Springfield median of $82,287 sits 20.88% above the US median.
Top LPN Salary Comparison
| Level | Springfield | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $82,287 | $68,071 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,046 | $80,364 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $93,079 | $88,196 |
In Springfield, experienced licensed practical nurses (P90) earn 13.12% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in Springfield
Advanced Certifications in Massachusetts
MA licensed practical nurses with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $82,287 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Springfield employers.
Specialty Focus
Licensed Practical Nurses focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Springfield command premium compensation, often reaching the $85,046–$93,079 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Springfield metro area, which is a large LPN employment market, often pay above-market rates for experienced licensed practical nurses who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured licensed practical nurses in Springfield with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this competitive market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Licensed Practical Nurses in Massachusetts who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Licensed Practical Nurse Career & Wage Growth Path in Springfield
Clinical Licensed Practical Nurse
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Licensed Practical Nurse
5-10 yearsLicensed Practical Nurse Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedSpringfield ranks #58 of 59 Massachusetts cities for top earner licensed practical nurse salary (90th percentile: $93,079).
Top 10% licensed practical nurse compensation in Springfield ($93,079) is 6.66% below the Massachusetts average P90 ($99,717).
2019 BLS Actual
$70,150
2025 BLS Actual
$88,060
2026 Current Est.
$93,079
2019–2027 Growth
+40.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,150 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,079 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,385 | Projected |
Top-earning licensed practical nurses (90th percentile) in Springfield saw their compensation grow 25.5% from $70,150 in 2019 to $88,060 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 5.70% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $98,385 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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.
Maximizing Your Licensed Practical Nurse Earnings in Springfield
Specializations and the type of employer heavily influence the senior licensed practical nurse pay in MA. Areas such as long-term care or hospice and palliative care, where demand is consistently strong, often command premium wages for those with advanced certifications like IV therapy or wound care. Compensation varies considerably by setting; skilled nursing facilities may offer better pay compared to home health agencies or physician offices. Additionally, positions such as charge LPN or nursing supervisor not only lead to higher salaries but also pave pathways for career advancement and transition into roles like MDS coordinator or admissions coordinator in long-term care settings. Further enhancing earning potential, various employers may provide shift differentials, stipends for specialized certifications, and premiums for weekend or holiday shifts, contributing to an overall robust compensation package for experienced LPNs in Springfield.
More salary data for Springfield, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced licensed practical nurses make in Springfield in 2026?
What drives higher licensed practical nurse pay in Springfield?
What certifications boost licensed practical nurse salary in Springfield?
Can experienced licensed practical nurses make six figures in Springfield?
How much does licensed practical nurse salary increase over time in Springfield?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $88,060 for licensed practical nurses in the Springfield metro area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
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