LPN Salary

Chanhassen vs St. Cloud: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Chanhassen, MN and St. Cloud, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chanhassen, MN
$66,160
$31.81/hr
St. Cloud, MN
$65,428
$31.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChanhassen, MNSt. Cloud, MN
Median Salary$66,160$65,428
Hourly Rate$31.81$31.46
Entry Level (P10)$51,532$52,406
25th Percentile$60,191$53,431
75th Percentile$76,730$70,132
Top Earner (P90)$82,353$85,501
Total Employed4930
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chanhassen ($66,160) and St. Cloud ($65,428) licensed practical nurse salaries.ChanhassenSt. CloudMedian Salary$66,160$65,428Entry Level (P10)$51,532$52,406Top Earner (P90)$82,353$85,501US Median $68,071

Verdict

Chanhassen and St. Cloud are closely matched on overall licensed practical nurse compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Chanhassen and St. Cloud is $732 (1.12%). Chanhassen's median is -2.81% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chanhassen spans $30,821,St. Cloud spans $33,095. St. Cloud has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Chanhassen
P10 (Entry)$51,532
P25$60,191
Median$66,160
P75$76,730
P90 (Top)$82,353
St. Cloud
P10 (Entry)$52,406
P25$53,431
Median$65,428
P75$70,132
P90 (Top)$85,501

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Cloud ($74,662 effective) pays 11.16% more than Chanhassen ($67,168 effective).

Chanhassen
Nominal: $66,160
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $67,168
St. Cloud
Nominal: $65,428
CoL Index: 87.632
Adjusted: $74,662

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chanhassen if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,160/year)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Cloud if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($85,501)
  • Larger job market (930 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,662)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Chanhassen grew 9.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.3% growth in St. Cloud over the same period.

Chanhassen, MN

+9.7%

$57,059 (2024) → $62,592 (2025)

St. Cloud, MN

+32.3%

$46,790 (2019) → $61,900 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Chanhassen or St. Cloud?

Chanhassen has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $66,160/year, compared to St. Cloud at $65,428/year — a difference of $732 (1.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chanhassen and St. Cloud?

Chanhassen licensed practical nurses earn $31.81/hr while St. Cloud hygienists earn $31.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chanhassen to St. Cloud as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chanhassen and St. Cloud. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chanhassen = $67,168, St. Cloud = $74,662), job availability (4 vs 930 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Chanhassen vs St. Cloud?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $51,532 in Chanhassen and $52,406 in St. Cloud. The St. Cloud area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov