LPN Salary

Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Louisville, CO: $56,627 (2026)

Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Louisville, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $56,627 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Louisville's local price level (BEA RPP 105.05% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $53,930 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($69,003) within a few years of clinical practice.

$56,627
Starting Salary
$27.23/hr
Starting Hourly
$56,627
Entry Level
$69,003
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Licensed Practical Nurse Entry Level Salary in Louisville, CO — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Louisville, CO licensed practical nurse entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, new graduates entering the field in Louisville, Colorado, can expect an entry-level licensed practical nurse salary starting around $56,627. This amount falls below the city’s median annual salary of $69,003, indicating a gap that new LPNs should be aware of when negotiating their first job offers. Within the first three to five years of practice, LPNs in the area may anticipate progression through salary percentiles, reaching approximately $64,674 at the 25th percentile. Given this growth potential, Louisville appears to be a promising market for new graduates as the demand for healthcare services continues to rise, especially with a projected growth rate of 5.70% for the occupation in the region.

About the Louisville Market

Salary estimated from Colorado average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Louisville

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$56,627/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$64,674/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$69,003/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$79,680/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Louisville

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for licensed practical nurses in Louisville. The median salary is $69,003, compared to the national median of $68,071.$51.0K$60.4K$69.8K$79.2K$88.7K$56.6K10th Pctl$64.7K25th Pctl$69.0KMedian$79.7K75th Pctl$84.4K90th PctlUS Median$68.1K

Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Louisville, CO typically start between $56,627 and $64,674 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $27,813 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $69,0031.37% above the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of licensed practical nurse pay in the Louisville metro area.

Return on Investment

$15,000
Avg CO Program Cost
$56,627
Starting Salary
26.49%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average nursing program cost in Colorado of $15,000 represents just 26.49% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($56,627/year) in Louisville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.

Program cost estimates based on state board of nursing-approved practical nursing programs and ACEN-accredited certificate pathways. Tuition varies by community college, technical school, or hospital-based program setting.

LPN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Louisville

  • 1Research the Louisville market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $56,627 to $64,674, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
  • 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Louisville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
  • 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Louisville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Louisville's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.

Licensed Practical Nurse Compensation Range

The licensed practical nurse wage spread in Louisville is $27,813 ( 49.12%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $56,627, experienced hygienists can earn up to $84,440.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$37,223

2025 BLS Actual

$53,573

2026 Current Est.

$56,627

2019–2027 Growth

+60.8%

Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Louisville (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for licensed practical nurses in Louisville. Baseline $37,223 in 2025, projected to $59,854 by 2027.$32.7K$40.6K$48.5K$56.5K$64.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$37.2K$38.3K$40.0K$43.6K$49.2K$51.2K$53.6K$56.6K$59.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$37,223Actual
2020$38,311Actual
2021$40,013Actual
2022$43,610Actual
2023$49,189Actual
2024$51,169Actual
2025$53,573Actual
2026(current)$56,627Estimated
2027$59,854Projected

Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Louisville, CO grew 43.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $37,223 in 2019 to $53,573 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $59,854. New graduates entering the Louisville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Starting Your nursing Career in Louisville

When considering career opportunities, it's essential for new LPNs in Louisville to recognize which employers are eager to hire. Skilled nursing facilities frequently seek out entry-level candidates, providing on-the-job orientation that can help fresh graduates adapt to the demands of the role. Home health agencies may offer a more flexible work schedule, appealing to those balancing additional commitments. Certain physician offices prefer candidates who have accrued specific clinical experience, so it’s beneficial for graduates to explore various internships during their training. To maximize their earning potential, candidates should hold an active LPN license, complete a recognized practical nursing program, and consider obtaining additional certifications like IV therapy or wound care. In the early years of their careers, LPNs should be strategic about their professional development, as many opt for LPN-to-RN bridge programs to expand their scope of practice, especially since long-term care facilities employ a significant portion of LPNs across the country. With a clear understanding of employer preferences and ongoing education, recent graduates can successfully navigate their first years in the workforce while aiming for salary growth in a competitive environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for licensed practical nurses in Louisville in 2026?

Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Louisville start at approximately $56,627/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.70% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $27.22/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do licensed practical nurse salaries grow in Louisville?

Most licensed practical nurses in Louisville progress from the entry-level salary of $56,627 to the area median of $69,003 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $84,440 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is nursing school worth it in Louisville?

With a starting salary of $56,627/year in Louisville and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new licensed practical nurses recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new licensed practical nurses make right out of school in Louisville?

New nursing graduates in Louisville typically start near the 10th percentile at $56,627/year, or approximately $27.22/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a licensed practical nurse in Colorado?

To become a licensed licensed practical nurse in Colorado, you typically need practical nursing diploma or certificate and passing the nclex-pn exam., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Colorado, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some licensed practical nurses pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Colorado

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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

Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Louisville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Louisville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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