Senior Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Burnsville, MN: $87,188 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of licensed practical nurses working in Burnsville, MN — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $87,188/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2061. Strip back Burnsville's price premium (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $88,516 in average-cost America. The 31% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Senior-level licensed practical nurses in Burnsville, MN, stand to earn significantly more than their less experienced counterparts, with top-tier salaries reaching up to $87,188 in 2026. The median annual salary for this group is projected at $66,451, illustrating the substantial salary gap that experienced professionals—specifically those with seven or more years in the field—can achieve. Burnsville's highest earners closely align with national trends, showing that while the median salary in Minnesota falls slightly below the national level of $68,071, the opportunities for top licensed practical nurse pay in Burnsville reflect a competitive market. Such salaries typically require not only extensive experience but may also be bolstered by special certifications and proven expertise in specialized care areas, such as pediatric nursing or long-term care management.
About the Burnsville Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($59,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burnsville
Experienced licensed practical nurses at the top of the pay scale in Burnsville earn between $79,604 and $87,188 per year (2026 est.). This $33,375 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Burnsville median of $66,451 sits 2.38% below the US median.
Top LPN Salary Comparison
| Level | Burnsville | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $66,451 | $68,071 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,604 | $80,364 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $87,188 | $88,196 |
In Burnsville, experienced licensed practical nurses (P90) earn 31.21% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in Burnsville
Advanced Certifications in Minnesota
MN licensed practical nurses with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $66,451 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Burnsville employers.
Specialty Focus
Licensed Practical Nurses focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Burnsville command premium compensation, often reaching the $79,604–$87,188 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Burnsville metro area 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 Burnsville with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Licensed Practical Nurses in Minnesota 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 Burnsville
Clinical Licensed Practical Nurse
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Licensed Practical Nurse
5-10 yearsLicensed Practical Nurse Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBurnsville ranks #7 of 44 Minnesota cities for top earner licensed practical nurse salary (90th percentile: $87,188).
Top 10% licensed practical nurse compensation in Burnsville ($87,188) is 6.73% above the Minnesota average P90 ($81,687).
2019 BLS Actual
$62,636
2025 BLS Actual
$82,486
2026 Current Est.
$87,188
2019–2027 Growth
+47.1%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Burnsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,636 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,771 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,061 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,819 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,955 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,486 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,188 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,157 | Projected |
Top-earning licensed practical nurses (90th percentile) in Burnsville saw their compensation grow 31.7% from $62,636 in 2019 to $82,486 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 $92,157 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burnsville 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 Burnsville
In the Burnsville healthcare setting, certain specializations are crucial for securing premium compensation levels. Experienced licensed practical nurses can enhance their earning potential by focusing on areas like long-term care, IV therapy certification, wound care, and hospice and palliative care, all of which are in demand. Compensation also varies significantly across different employer types; while skilled nursing facilities and hospitals (in select markets) may offer structured pay scales, home health agencies and physician offices often present varied pay structures based on flexibility and patient load. For those aspiring to further their careers, leadership roles such as charge LPN or nursing supervisor, along with LPN-to-RN bridging programs, can provide pathways to increased responsibilities and enhanced salaries. Furthermore, receiving advanced credentials, such as certifications in IV therapy or wound care, can lead to accelerated salary growth, as many healthcare settings offer added incentives for these specialized skills.
More salary data for Burnsville, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced licensed practical nurses make in Burnsville in 2026?
What drives higher licensed practical nurse pay in Burnsville?
What certifications boost licensed practical nurse salary in Burnsville?
Can experienced licensed practical nurses make six figures in Burnsville?
How much does licensed practical nurse salary increase over time in Burnsville?
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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
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 $82,486 for licensed practical nurses in the Burnsville 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
Salary data for Burnsville 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