LPN Salary

Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Brookline, MA: $63,277 (2026)

Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Brookline, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $63,277 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Brookline's local price level (BEA RPP 108.59% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $58,320 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($80,756) within a few years of clinical practice.

$63,277
Starting Salary
$30.42/hr
Starting Hourly
$63,277
Entry Level
$80,756
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

Starting out as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in Brookline, Massachusetts, you'll find that the entry-level positions generally offer a starting pay around $63,277 in 2026. While this may be lower than the city's median annual salary of $80,756, new graduates in this field can expect a steady growth trajectory in earnings as they gain experience. Over the first three to five years, salaries can realistically rise from the P10 mark of $63,277 to approximately $74,058 at the 25th percentile, putting newcomers on a positive path as they acclimate to the demands of the role. The market in Brookline presents ample opportunities for new nurses to start their careers, bolstered by the robust healthcare infrastructure in the area.

About the Brookline Market

Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($73,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Brookline

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$63,277/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$74,058/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$80,756/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$96,793/yr

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

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookline

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for licensed practical nurses in Brookline. The median salary is $80,756, compared to the national median of $68,071.$56.9K$69.9K$82.8K$95.8K$108.7K$63.3K10th Pctl$74.1K25th Pctl$80.8KMedian$96.8K75th Pctl$103.5K90th PctlUS Median$68.1K

Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Brookline, MA typically start between $63,277 and $74,058 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $40,237 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $80,75618.63% above the national median.

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

Return on Investment

$22,000
Avg MA Program Cost
$63,277
Starting Salary
34.77%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average nursing program cost in Massachusetts of $22,000 represents just 34.77% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($63,277/year) in Brookline. 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 Brookline

  • 1Research the Brookline market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $63,277 to $74,058, 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 MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Brookline, 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 Brookline for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Brookline'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 Brookline is $40,237 ( 63.59%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $63,277, experienced hygienists can earn up to $103,514.

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

2019 BLS Actual

$41,595

2025 BLS Actual

$59,865

2026 Current Est.

$63,277

2019–2027 Growth

+60.8%

Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Brookline (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 Brookline. Baseline $41,595 in 2025, projected to $66,884 by 2027.$36.5K$45.4K$54.2K$63.1K$71.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$41.6K$42.8K$44.7K$48.7K$55.0K$60.0K$59.9K$63.3K$66.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$41,595Actual
2020$42,811Actual
2021$44,712Actual
2022$48,732Actual
2023$54,967Actual
2024$59,963Actual
2025$59,865Actual
2026(current)$63,277Estimated
2027$66,884Projected

Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Brookline, MA grew 43.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $41,595 in 2019 to $59,865 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $66,884. New graduates entering the Brookline job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookline 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 Brookline

When it comes to finding employment, the most common employers for recent graduates include skilled nursing facilities, which typically provide on-the-job orientation, and home health agencies, known for their flexible scheduling options. Physician offices often prefer candidates who have specific clinic experience. To enhance their starting licensed practical nurse pay in Massachusetts, individuals should focus on obtaining relevant credentials, such as an active LPN license, a diploma from an accredited program, and passing the NCLEX-PN. Additionally, specialized certifications, like IV therapy or wound care, can significantly improve employability and earnings potential. In terms of career strategy for the first few years, LPNs can consider the benefits of pursuing LPN-to-RN bridge programs, especially since state regulations on scope of practice may impact their day-to-day responsibilities. New graduates should prepare for a realistic salary growth expectation during their early career in Brookline, as LPNs typically see increases in their pay as they accrue more experience and responsibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Brookline start at approximately $63,277/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 $30.42/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 Brookline?

Most licensed practical nurses in Brookline progress from the entry-level salary of $63,277 to the area median of $80,756 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $103,514 (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 Brookline?

With a starting salary of $63,277/year in Brookline 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 Brookline?

New nursing graduates in Brookline typically start near the 10th percentile at $63,277/year, or approximately $30.42/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 Massachusetts?

To become a licensed licensed practical nurse in Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts

AM

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 Brookline. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Brookline 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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